Meta Zuckerberg plans to restart the "Stablecoin Project" in the second half of 2026, potentially partnering with Stripe to connect global payment flows

After four years of setbacks with the Libra project, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is preparing for a comeback. Taking advantage of the regulatory momentum from the U.S. GENIUS Act, Meta is rumored to partner with Stripe to relaunch stablecoin payments by late 2026. This move is not only a technological shift but also a crucial battle for Meta to claim the throne of the global “super app.”

(Background: Chinese genius engineer records theft: stole Elon Musk’s xAI data and fled, reportedly blacklisted by OpenAI, Google, Meta, and other giants)

(Additional context: Meta cuts 10% of its metaverse division again! After burning $70 billion, Zuckerberg shifts focus to AI)

Table of Contents

Toggle

• Strategic Shift: From “Issuing Coins” to “Payment Infrastructure”
• Key Drivers: The Synergy Between Stripe and Bridge Acquisition
• Regulatory Breakthrough: Trump Administration’s GENIUS Act as a Strong Support
• Future Outlook: Competing with X and Telegram for the “Super App” Crown

Meta (formerly Facebook), the social media giant, is gearing up for a comeback after four years of failure with the Libra project. According to multiple insiders, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made “integrated stablecoin payments” a core part of the company’s 2026 strategy, with plans to launch as early as late this year. Unlike the solo effort in the past, this time Meta may form a deep alliance with fintech giant Stripe and leverage the regulatory benefits of the newly passed U.S. GENIUS Act to redefine social commerce payment standards.

Strategic Shift: From “Issuing Coins” to “Payment Infrastructure”

Unlike the ambitious Libra plan in 2019 to challenge the global monetary system, Meta is adopting a more pragmatic approach this time. Sources indicate that Meta is not restarting its own cryptocurrency issuance but is instead building a payment ecosystem that supports third-party stablecoins.

Meta plans to integrate a new digital wallet across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, allowing users to make instant transfers and purchases using stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. This aims to leverage blockchain technology to bypass high cross-border banking fees and increase transaction conversion rates on social platforms.

Key Drivers: The Synergy Between Stripe and Bridge Acquisition

Sources reveal that Stripe is the core partner in Meta’s relaunch plan. In fact, the collaboration has been in the works for some time. In April 2025, Stripe CEO Patrick Collison officially joined Meta’s board, signaling a deep integration in fintech.

Stripe recently completed its acquisition of stablecoin technology firm Bridge at the end of last year, giving Stripe robust stablecoin API capabilities. Analysts expect Meta to entrust Stripe with backend stablecoin clearing and compliance management. This “powerhouse partnership” allows Meta to maintain payment convenience while avoiding the complexities of direct currency issuance regulation.

Regulatory Breakthrough: Trump Administration’s GENIUS Act as a Strong Support

Meta’s confidence to re-enter the stablecoin arena largely stems from a favorable shift in U.S. regulation. With the implementation of the Trump-era GENIUS Act, the U.S. has established a federal legal framework for stablecoin issuance and payments.

The law explicitly excludes stablecoins from the definition of securities and provides a legal pathway for non-bank entities to enter the stablecoin market. Compared to the intense congressional opposition Libra faced in the past, Meta now operates in a more transparent regulatory environment with a friendlier political climate.

Future Outlook: Competing with X and Telegram for the “Super App” Crown

Meta’s comeback also signals an intensification of the social media “payment war.” Currently, Elon Musk’s X platform and messaging app Telegram are actively developing in-house payment systems, both aiming to become the Western “super app.”

If Meta successfully promotes stablecoin payments, it could gain a dominant advantage in cross-border remittances and microtransactions. This is not just a technological competition but a battle for future digital economic dominance.