Stripe Lets Eligible U.S. Businesses Send Stablecoins to Recipients in 160+ Markets
Stripe’s Global Payouts service lets eligible U.S. businesses send USDC or OUSD to recipients’ crypto wallets in more than 160 markets. The service is in public preview and is not yet available to New York businesses. Fees can add up on larger transfers.
- The 160+ markets are where recipients are located, not where sending businesses are based
- USDC is available on nine networks; OUSD on four
- Published fee: $0.50 plus 0.5% of the payout
- Stripe says delivery typically takes minutes, though delays are possible
Who can use Stripe’s stablecoin payouts?
Stripe’s Global Payouts documentation says the public preview is open to eligible businesses based in the United States, except those based in New York. A “public preview” means eligible users can access the service, but it is not being presented as a fully unrestricted product. New York businesses can register for availability updates. Stripe has not said when they may gain access.
The figure of more than 160 refers to recipient markets. It does not mean businesses in more than 160 countries can send payouts through the service. Stripe does not list the supported destinations in the available details, and it has not specified the full eligibility criteria for U.S. businesses.
Businesses can fund payouts from a USD or USDC balance in their Stripe financial account. Stripe’s published details do not explain how a payout funded with USD is converted into USDC or OUSD, what exchange rate would apply, or whether a transaction would incur conversion charges. Businesses should check the full cost and funding terms before sending.
Supported stablecoins and networks
Stripe lists USDC payouts on nine networks: Arbitrum, Avalanche C-Chain, Base, Ethereum, Optimism, Polygon, Solana, Stellar and Tempo.
OUSD payouts are available on Base, Ethereum, Solana and Tempo. Stripe’s published details identify the token as OUSD but do not name its issuer or provide further information about it.
A network is the blockchain route a token uses to move. A wallet that accepts USDC on one network may not support USDC on another. Stripe tells businesses to confirm that the recipient’s wallet supports both the chosen stablecoin and network before sending. The token name alone is not enough.
Recipients must provide an email address, name and address. For business recipients, the name must be the company’s name. Stripe says payouts typically arrive within minutes, though network conditions can delay delivery. That is an estimate, not a guarantee.
What does a payout cost?
Stripe lists a stablecoin payout charge of $0.50 per payment, plus 0.5% of the amount sent. At that rate, a $1, 000 payout costs $5.50, while a $10, 000 payout costs $50.50.
Stripe also lists a $25 fee for a SWIFT wire transfer. Looking only at those stated charges, the stablecoin fee reaches $25 on a $4, 900 payout. It is lower below that amount and higher above it. This is not a full comparison of equivalent transfers, as other costs and service conditions may differ.
Stripe lists currency conversion starting at 0.5%. It also lists a 0.05% platform fee on monthly payout volume above a $1 million allowance across payment methods. Whether either charge applies depends on the business and transaction, so the advertised stablecoin fee may not be the final cost.
What businesses should check before sending
Stablecoins are digital tokens designed to track the value of a currency such as the U.S. dollar. Sending them over a blockchain can give businesses a direct way to pay a recipient’s crypto wallet, but they still need to check the destination, wallet compatibility and fees.
Before initiating a payout, a business should confirm that the recipient’s market is supported, the wallet accepts the selected token on the selected network, and the full cost is clear, including any conversion or platform fees that may apply. Stripe’s documentation does not say how often network delays occur or how long they can last.
Key questions about Stripe’s stablecoin payouts
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Can businesses in any country send payouts?
No. The public preview is for eligible U.S.-based businesses, excluding those based in New York. The 160-plus markets are recipient destinations, which Stripe does not list individually in the available details.
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What should a business verify before sending?
Check that the recipient’s destination is supported, the wallet accepts the chosen stablecoin on the chosen network, and the total fees are clear.
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How much does a payout cost?
Stripe’s published charge is $0.50 plus 0.5% of the amount sent. Conversion or platform fees may increase the total.
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How long does delivery take?
Stripe says payouts typically arrive within minutes, but network conditions can cause delays.
USDC payouts also feature in Meta’s stablecoin pilot in Colombia and the Philippines.
