Meta Plans Stablecoin Return With Third-Party Partner

TLDR

• Meta plans to reenter the stablecoin market in the second half of 2026 through a third-party partnership.
• The company has issued a request for product to select a vendor for stablecoin payments integration.
• Stripe has emerged as a likely candidate to pilot the stablecoin payment system.
• Meta intends to integrate a new wallet to support dollar-pegged stablecoin transactions.
• The renewed effort follows the shutdown of the Libra and Diem projects in 2022.

Meta is preparing to reenter the stablecoin market later this year through a third-party partnership. The company aims to integrate a dollar-pegged token for payments across its platforms. Sources said the rollout could begin early in the second half of 2026, pending vendor selection.

Meta Revives Stablecoin Strategy With External Partner

Meta has sent a request for product to several payment firms, according to two people familiar with the process. One source said the company prefers a third-party issuer instead of launching its own token.

The source said Meta plans to integrate a vendor to manage stablecoin-backed payments and a new wallet. The person added that the company wants operational readiness before the second half launch window.

Stripe has emerged as a likely pilot partner, according to a second person. Stripe acquired stablecoin firm Bridge last year and maintains a long partnership with Meta.

Patrick Collison joined Meta’s board in April 2025, strengthening ties between the companies. However, Meta, Stripe, and Bridge did not respond to requests for comment.

Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which together serve more than three billion users. The company aims to use stablecoin rails to reduce payment processing costs and expand digital transactions.

Sources said the integration would support cross-border transfers and in-app purchases. However, Meta has not disclosed technical specifications or launch markets.

Regulatory Shift Shapes Meta’s Renewed Effort

Meta attempted to launch Libra in 2019 but faced regulatory resistance in the United States and Europe. Lawmakers criticized the project and raised concerns about financial stability and data privacy.

The Libra Association later rebranded the project as Diem and narrowed its scope. It shifted from a global basket-backed currency to individual currency-pegged stablecoins.

Meta shut down the Diem project in early 2022 and sold its assets. The company has since avoided direct issuance of digital currencies.

The current regulatory landscape in the United States has evolved. President Donald Trump’s GENIUS Act established a legal framework for stablecoin issuers.

Regulators are still drafting detailed compliance rules for token providers. However, the new law has encouraged more companies to explore stablecoin services.

One source said the Libra experience shaped Meta’s new approach. The person stated that Meta now prefers to rely on an established stablecoin issuer.

The company aims to integrate payments without assuming direct regulatory responsibility for issuance. Sources said Meta continues internal planning while it evaluates vendor proposals.