Stripe Reportedly in Talks to Acquire Bridge for $1 Billion
Stripe, the global payments giant, is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire the stablecoin platform Bridge for $1 billion, according to a report by Forbes. While the deal has yet to be finalized, the potential acquisition could mark a major milestone for both companies.
Bridge, co-founded by former Coinbase employees Zach Abrams and Sean Yu, has quickly made a name for itself with an API that allows businesses to accept payments in stablecoins. The platform, which raised $58 million from prominent investors like Index Ventures and Sequoia Capital, currently holds a valuation of around $200 million, per data from PitchBook. Should the acquisition go through, it would represent a significant leap for the company, catapulting its valuation fivefold.
For Stripe, the move signals its continued expansion into the cryptocurrency space. The payments firm has increasingly embraced crypto as a strategic focus. In July 2024, Stripe introduced a feature allowing customers across the European Union to make purchases using cryptocurrency.
Earlier this month, the company rolled out a "Pay with Crypto" option, enabling merchants on the platform to accept payments in stablecoins—a digital currency tied to the value of traditional fiat currencies.
This potential deal reflects the ongoing trend of major financial technology companies investing in cryptocurrency infrastructure, positioning Stripe to play a central role in bridging the gap between traditional finance and the digital currency world.
Both companies have declined to comment on the matter, but sources close to the negotiations indicate that the talks are nearing completion, though a final agreement is still pending.
