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- Shopify has started early access for USDC payments using Coinbase’s Base network and plans a full rollout later this year.
- The integration offers fast, low-cost, on-chain payments with global reach and may include 1% cash back incentives for users.
Shopify has begun offering early access to USDC payments for select merchants, marking a new step in its push toward integrating crypto into mainstream e-commerce. Coinbase powers the initiative and uses its Ethereum Layer-2 network, Base, to facilitate low-cost, fast, and global payments.
The stablecoin feature will roll out through Shopify Payments and Shop Pay later this year, enabling users to pay with USDC directly on-chain. Shopify’s CEO, Tobi Lutke, emphasized that stablecoins are “a natural way to transact on the internet,” confirming the company’s commitment to simplifying commerce through blockchain technology. Coinbase developed the commerce payment protocol behind the integration, and the collaboration is expected to expand to all Shopify merchants globally within the year.
Base Becomes Core to Shopify’s Payment Innovation
Shopify’s decision to build on Base signals its preference for efficient blockchain infrastructure. The network, developed by Coinbase, currently ranks as the fourth-largest for USDC circulation, accounting for 6% of the stablecoin’s $61 billion supply, according to data from USDC Transparency and CoinGecko.
Base is known for its low fees and rapid transaction speeds. Shopify highlighted these strengths, noting that the network enables uninterrupted, 24/7 global money movement. Coinbase said the partnership supports its mission to bring a billion people on-chain by making crypto payments accessible for everyday commerce.
The move also positions Base as a major player in the stablecoin transaction space, helping merchants avoid the delays and high costs often associated with traditional payment processors.
Shopify’s crypto roadmap includes additional perks for buyers. Users may receive up to 1% cash back in their local currencies when transacting with USDC, a feature currently under consideration. The company also confirmed that more merchants across 34 countries will gain access to the new payment method in the coming weeks, with support enabled through Stripe Connect.
Stripe has deepened its partnership with Shopify to support the expansion, aiming to streamline business operations without requiring merchants to change existing systems. Neetika Bansal, head of crypto money movement at Stripe, said stablecoins would help businesses enter new markets at lower operational costs.
The company has not yet confirmed if it plans to expand USDC support to other blockchains or stablecoins. However, online commentators questioned why the rollout was limited to Base instead of supporting all networks compatible with USDC.
Crypto Roots Trace Back Over a Decade
Shopify’s involvement in crypto predates its USDC initiative. Since 2013, the platform has supported Bitcoin payments through gateway integrations. Today, it supports at least nine additional crypto-based payment methods, including providers like BitPay and Solana Pay.
Despite its crypto-friendly stance, Shopify recommends using native systems like Shopify Payments for flash sales due to the slower settlement times associated with blockchain transactions.
The recent collaboration with Coinbase is not the company’s first. Both firms were involved in Meta’s stablecoin project, originally named Libra and later rebranded as Diem. The project shut down in early 2022 following regulatory challenges.
