Catenaa, Wednesday, February 25- Meta is preparing a return to stablecoins in the second half of 2026, exploring integration with a third-party payments provider and a new digital wallet as US regulations evolve, according to people familiar with the matter.
The company, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has circulated requests for proposals to potential partners to administer dollar-pegged stablecoin payments. One source said Stripe is viewed as a leading candidate to pilot the effort. Stripe acquired stablecoin platform Bridge last year, and its CEO Patrick Collison joined Meta’s board in April 2025.
The planned integration would allow Meta to offer stablecoin-based transactions across Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, potentially lowering payment costs and expanding cross-border transfers to its more than 3 billion users. The effort would position the firm against rivals seeking to embed financial services into social platforms.
Meta previously attempted to launch a stablecoin in 2019 under the Libra project, later renamed Diem. The initiative faced bipartisan opposition in Washington and was shut down in early 2022, with assets sold off.
The regulatory landscape has shifted since then. President Donald Trump’s GENIUS Act established a federal framework for stablecoin issuers, though detailed rules remain under development.
Sources said Meta plans to rely on an external provider to manage issuance and compliance, distancing itself from direct operational control after its earlier experience.
