On June 12, 2025, Shopify announced the integration of USD Coin (USDC) into its native payment system—Shopify Payments—through collaborations with Coinbase and Stripe. The development introduces a new option for merchants and customers to transact using a stable, digital currency, with the added benefits of speed, low cost, and global accessibility.
The move is part of Shopify’s larger vision to support modern, flexible payment options for businesses of all sizes. With this update, eligible merchants can now accept USDC payments on the Base network without requiring any third-party integrations or complex technical setups. Payments made in USDC can be received either in local currency or directly in USDC, depending on the merchant’s preference.This is made possible through Shopify’s ongoing partnership with Stripe.
Customers checking out on a Shopify store can pay in USDC via supported crypto wallets, with compatibility for both guest checkout and Shop Pay. This opens up a wider range of payment choices while maintaining a smooth and secure transaction experience.
For Shopify, this integration isn’t just about adopting a new digital currency. It represents a broader commitment to building commerce infrastructure that meets the demands of a global, digital-first economy. By leveraging stablecoins, particularly one as widely trusted and regulated as USDC, Shopify is removing some of the longstanding frictions in international transactions.
Why Stablecoins Make Sense for Commerce
According to Shopify’s blog post, several developments have aligned to make this possible: the stability of USDC as a 1:1 USD-backed digital asset; the speed and cost-efficiency of the Base network developed by Coinbase; and the increasing usability of crypto wallets for everyday purchases.
To enable real-world functionality, Shopify and Coinbase co-developed a smart contract architecture tailored for commerce. The result is a new payment protocol that allows for transaction flows commonly seen in traditional finance, such as “authorize now, capture later.” This gives merchants the flexibility of delayed fund capture—common in credit card processing—while taking advantage of the borderless speed of stablecoin payments.
Tobi Lütke, CEO of Shopify, emphasized the strategic nature of the rollout in an X post on June 13:
“Shopify will enable USDC (Stablecoins on Base) in Checkout via Shopify Payments and Shop Pay. Early access starts today, roll out throughout the year.> We think that stablecoins are a natural way to transact on the Internet and worked with Coinbase to develop the commerce payment protocol smart contract that powers this work.”
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong also highlighted the collaboration, noting that the partnership was born from a shared goal: to make crypto payments mainstream. The payments protocol developed between Coinbase and Shopify is designed to function at scale and handle complex commerce needs.
For merchants, this marks a significant step forward. Transactions are processed 24/7, with no foreign exchange fees or long settlement times. For customers, it brings another secure, real-time option at checkout, making purchases across borders faster and simpler.
Coinbase’s broader strategy includes Coinbase Payments, a service aimed at enabling seamless, round-the-clock stablecoin payments globally. With $30 trillion in stablecoin volume processed last year alone, the financial infrastructure to support widespread crypto adoption is already maturing behind the scenes.
By integrating USDC, Shopify is not only making its platform more versatile but also positioning itself at the forefront of financial innovation in e-commerce. As the lines between traditional and digital finance continue to blur, this move signals that stablecoins are no longer experimental—they are becoming an integral part of how money moves online.
