Payoneer to Enable Businesses to Send, Hold and Receive Stablecoins in 2026

What Is Payoneer Launching?

Payoneer plans to introduce stablecoin functionality directly within its platform, using infrastructure provided by Bridge, a stablecoin technology company acquired by Stripe in 2025. The rollout will begin in select markets in the second quarter of 2026, with wider availability planned later in the year as coverage expands.

The new capabilities will allow businesses to receive, hold, and send stablecoins as part of their cross-border payment workflows. Rather than requiring users to manage wallets or interact directly with blockchain protocols, the functionality will be embedded into Payoneer’s existing system.

Payoneer serves small and medium-sized enterprises, freelancers, and marketplace tradeers operating across more than 190 countries. Its core offering includes multi-currency accounts, payment collection, and mass payouts. Adding stablecoins introduces a new settlement rail alongside traditional banking channels.

Investor Takeaway

Why Stablecoins Appeal to Cross-Border Businesses

Stablecoins settle transactions within minutes and operate continuously, without banking hour constraints. By contrast, correspondent banking transfers can take several days and depend on cut-off times, intermediary banks, and local clearing systems.

For cross-border tradeers and service providers, especially in emerging markets, quicker settlement can improve liquidity management and reduce working capital strain. Stablecoins also allow programmable transfers, enabling conditional or automated payment flows.

However, practical challenges have sluggished adoption. Businesses must convert stablecoins into local currency, integrate them into treasury systems, and address accounting and tax treatment. Regulatory requirements differ widely by jurisdiction, adding another layer of complexity.

What Role Does Bridge Play?

Bridge provides the infrastructure layer that enables companies to integrate stablecoin capabilities without managing blockchain operations directly. Instead of running nodes or , businesses interact through API connections that abstract the underlying protocol.

Stripe acquired Bridge in 2025 to expand its . Through this arrangement, Payoneer can incorporate stablecoin functionality while relying on Bridge’s backend systems for blockchain connectivity and transaction processing.

This architecture reduces the technical burden on end users. It also aligns stablecoin usage with existing compliance and reporting frameworks embedded within payment platforms, rather than requiring businesses to build standalone crypto workflows.

How Does Regulation Factor In?

Regulatory treatment of stablecoins varies by region. In the European Union, the sets requirements for e-money token issuers, including reserve backing and redemption rights. In the United States, oversight is split across federal agencies and state-level money transmission rules.

For , this patchwork requires jurisdiction-specific compliance controls. Stablecoin capabilities may be available in some markets before others, depending on licensing and regulatory clarity.

While settlement is increasing, usage in business payments remains limited compared with cryptocurrency trading and decentralised finance. Accounting standards, treasury integration, and risk policies still influence adoption decisions.

Where Does This Leave Cross-Border Payments?

Major payment networks and fintech firms have begun incorporating stablecoin rails into their systems, testing whether digital tokens can complement existing infrastructure for merchant settlement and international transfers.

For Payoneer, integrating stablecoins adds another settlement option for cross-border clients who already rely on its platform for multi-currency operations. The extent to which clients adopt the feature will depend less on technology and more on conversion efficiency, cost structure, and regulatory clarity.

As rollout begins in 2026, market response will offer a clearer view of whether stablecoins are becoming a standard payment rail for global commerce or remain a specialized tool for selected corridors and counterparties.