The partnership between PayPal Holdings (NASDAQ:PYPL) and Mesh is redefining the landscape of digital transactions. With the launch of a powerful PayPal Mesh stablecoin payments tool, merchants will soon be able to seamlessly convert dozens of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins into fiat at checkout. The initiative signals a major step in making crypto a practical medium of exchange rather than just a speculative investment.
PayPal and Mesh Bridge the Crypto Gap
Mesh, a San Francisco–based startup with about 100 employees, is focused on building a payments network that connects wallets, exchanges, and financial platforms. Its new collaboration with PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) highlights a shared vision: bridging the gap between consumers holding volatile assets like Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) and merchants who want the stability of fiat or stablecoins.
The PayPal Mesh stablecoin payments tool allows shoppers to pay with over 80 cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH), Dogecoin (CRYPTO:DOGE), and Shiba Inu (CRYPTO:SHIB). Merchants, meanwhile, will see the funds automatically converted into their chosen stablecoin or fiat currency.
PayPal confirmed that by late 2025, merchants will also be able to settle directly in its own stablecoin, PYUSD, launched in 2023.
Stablecoins as the Future of Payments
For Mesh CEO Bam Azizi, the rise of stablecoins represents the true fulfillment of crypto’s original promise. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which fluctuate wildly, stablecoins such as USDC (issued by Circle Internet Group) and USDT (issued by Tether) are pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar.
Azizi believes the “killer app” for stablecoins is payment. Whether cross-border transfers, B2B settlements, or payroll, stablecoins offer speed, cost savings, and predictability. The PayPal Mesh stablecoin payments solution takes that a step further by automating conversions between different stablecoins to minimize friction.
As Azizi explained, “If a customer holds USDT and the merchant wants USDC, our system handles that seamlessly. We abstract all the complexity for both sides.”
Competition Heats Up in Stablecoin Conversions
The race to dominate stablecoin payments is intensifying. Mesh faces competition from Stripe-owned Bridge, Binance (CRYPTO:BNB), Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN), and Bastion. Each company is vying to provide the smoothest on- and off-ramps between crypto and fiat.
Mesh recently raised $130 million in funding, with participation from PayPal Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and Kingsway Capital, underscoring investor confidence in its model. By teaming up with PayPal, Mesh gains instant access to millions of merchants, giving it a head start over rivals.
For merchants, the benefit is clear: international credit card transactions typically incur high conversion fees, while PayPal Mesh stablecoin payments promise significantly lower costs.
Regulatory Momentum Boosts Stablecoins
Stablecoins are also gaining political momentum in the U.S. Following Donald Trump’s return to office last year, Congress has become more receptive to crypto-friendly legislation. The recent Genius Act has spurred corporate interest, with companies such as Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), Expedia Group (NASDAQ:EXPE), and Walmart (NYSE:WMT) exploring stablecoin initiatives.
This regulatory shift provides fertile ground for PayPal and Mesh to scale their payments platform. Stablecoins, once viewed with skepticism, are increasingly seen as essential infrastructure for the digital economy.
Looking Ahead: Stablecoins vs. Volatile Crypto
While Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other volatile assets will likely remain popular as investments, Azizi argues their role in everyday payments will be limited. The future, he says, belongs to stablecoins.
“Stablecoin is going to be what crypto wanted to be, what Bitcoin wanted to be: peer-to-peer money without a centralized authority,” Azizi explained. “It has all the upside of blockchain without the downside of volatility.”
By aligning with PayPal, Mesh is betting that stablecoin payments will become the norm for digital commerce—ushering in a new era where millions of global crypto owners can transact as easily as they invest.
Featured Image: Freepik
