In a significant move for crypto adoption, payment giant Stripe and cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com announced a major partnership on January 6, 2026. The collaboration integrates Crypto.com Pay directly into Stripe's checkout system, making it available as a payment option for millions of Stripe-powered online merchants.
The integration allows shoppers holding funds on Crypto.com to select "Crypto.com Pay" at checkout pages using Stripe's Optimized Checkout suite (such as Stripe Checkout or Payment Element). Users then scan a QR code and confirm the payment within the Crypto.com app, creating a seamless experience designed to feel like any other digital wallet checkout.
For merchants, Stripe handles the conversion of the crypto payment into the business's preferred local currency and deposits it directly into their merchant balance. This means payouts and reconciliation occur alongside other traditional payment methods, significantly reducing operational friction.
Behind the scenes, Crypto.com will also utilize Stripe's payment-acquiring infrastructure. This will enable Crypto.com customers to buy cryptocurrency with credit and debit cards and will streamline the processing of Crypto.com-branded card transactions in the United States as the platform scales its card offerings.
Executives from both companies hailed the partnership as a milestone. Joe Anzures, Crypto.com's EVP of Payments and General Manager for the Americas, called it "a game-changer for the crypto industry," stating that Stripe's vast merchant network helps bridge the gap between holding and spending crypto in everyday life. He emphasized the goal of "accelerating the world's transition to cryptocurrency" by providing users with unprecedented access to spend their crypto in the real world.
The initial rollout is scheduled to begin in the United States in January 2026, with plans to expand to additional markets thereafter. For existing Stripe merchants, enabling Crypto.com Pay is designed to be straightforward, potentially requiring only a settings toggle within Stripe's prebuilt checkout tools.
