Is Meta returning to the stablecoin battle? Rumors suggest that in the second half of the year, they will integrate a US dollar stablecoin and collaborate with third parties to launch a new wallet for payment deployment.

After the collapse of the Libra project in 2019, Meta appears to be preparing to re-enter the stablecoin arena. According to three informed sources, this tech giant led by Mark Zuckerberg plans to initiate stablecoin integration in the first half of this year, working with third-party vendors to handle USD-pegged stablecoin payments, while also launching a new digital wallet.

This move not only signifies Meta’s renewed challenge to the crypto payments market but could also reignite the battles over “social payments” and “cross-border remittances,” directly competing with other tech platforms aiming to build super apps.

Stablecoin Integration and New Wallet Launch in the Second Half of the Year

Sources indicate that Meta aims to complete the initial integration of stablecoin payment functionality by early this year. Unlike previous strategies where Meta led token issuance independently, this time it plans to adopt a “hands-off” approach, partnering with external companies responsible for managing and executing stablecoin payments.

One insider said Meta intends to collaborate with an external vendor to manage USD-pegged stablecoin payment processes and introduce a brand-new digital wallet system, enabling users to make payments and transfers within its ecosystem.

Additionally, it has been reported that Meta has issued product RFPs to multiple third-party companies, with Stripe named as a potential pilot partner. Notably, Stripe acquired the stablecoin-focused company Bridge last year, strengthening its infrastructure in stablecoin technology.

Stripe maintains a close relationship with Meta; Stripe CEO Patrick Collison joined Meta’s board in April 2025. While neither Meta, Stripe, nor Bridge has responded to these reports, market observers are already paying attention to the potential collaboration.

300 Million Users as a Key Asset, Aiming to Build Social Payments

Meta owns platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, with a combined user base exceeding 3 billion worldwide. If stablecoin payments are successfully integrated, Meta could establish direct payment channels within its existing social and commercial networks, reducing reliance on traditional banking systems and cutting high transaction fees.

This strategy would give Meta a significant advantage in the “social e-commerce” and cross-border remittance markets. Especially if stablecoin transfer features are seamlessly integrated into WhatsApp’s existing P2P communication infrastructure, it would greatly enhance user experience and transaction efficiency.

More importantly, Meta’s moves will directly compete with Elon Musk’s social platform X. X has been actively developing built-in payment features, aiming to transform into a super app. Meanwhile, messaging platform Telegram continues to push forward with payment and crypto integrations.

In fact, building a payment ecosystem has always been the core goal of Meta’s original Libra project — integrating social, messaging, and commercial tools to establish its own global digital currency system.

From Libra to Diem: A Failed Crypto Experiment

Meta first attempted to launch Libra stablecoin in 2019, later rebranded as Diem. However, under the regulatory environment at the time, the project faced immense political and regulatory pressures. Coupled with the trust crisis caused by the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, regulators became highly wary of Meta’s financial ambitions.

Following strong opposition from the U.S. Congress, the Libra Association adjusted its strategy in 2020, shifting from a basket-backed global digital currency to developing multiple stablecoins pegged to individual fiat currencies. Ultimately, the project never launched officially and sold off its assets in early 2022, closing down.

This experience clearly taught Meta a lesson. According to sources, this time Meta prefers to rely on third-party stablecoin payment providers rather than issuing its own tokens. “They want to do this, but will keep some distance,” said one insider.

Regulatory Changes and the Trump GENUIS Act Open the Door for Stablecoins

Compared to 2019, the current U.S. regulatory environment for crypto has significantly evolved. The Trump-led GENUIS Act has established a legal foundation for stablecoin issuers in the U.S., opening the door for market participants to issue new tokens.

Although regulators are still in the early stages of drafting detailed rules, the overall policy direction appears more lenient than before. This regulatory shift creates more favorable conditions for Meta to re-enter the stablecoin market.

However, regulatory uncertainty remains. How Meta can integrate stablecoin payments legally and avoid repeating Libra’s mistakes will be the biggest challenge in this new venture.

Can Meta Successfully “Re-Enter” the Market?

From a strategic perspective, Meta’s choice to partner with third-party providers instead of issuing its own tokens indicates a desire to balance regulatory pressures and brand risks. By working with external stablecoin vendors, Meta can focus on enhancing payment scenarios and user experience, outsourcing issuance and compliance responsibilities.

Yet, the competition is fiercer than ever. Besides X and Telegram, traditional financial institutions and crypto-native companies are also actively developing stablecoin payments and cross-border settlement solutions. For Meta to stand out, success will depend not only on technological integration but also on convincing regulators and users to rebuild trust.

The stablecoin market is rapidly maturing, and the entry of tech giants will undoubtedly inject new variables into the industry. Will Meta’s “stablecoin comeback” be a chance to erase Libra’s shadow, or another high-risk experiment? The answer may be revealed in the second half of this year.

This article about Meta returning to the stablecoin battlefield? Rumored to be integrating USD stablecoins and partnering with third parties to launch a new wallet for payments, first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.