Bridge

What is Bridge?

Bridge is a stablecoin infrastructure platform that provides APIs enabling businesses to move, store, accept, and issue stablecoins for global payments. Founded in 2022 by Zach Abrams and Sean Yu—both veterans of Coinbase and Square—Bridge was acquired by payments giant Stripe in October 2024 for $1.1 billion, marking the largest acquisition in cryptocurrency history.

Often described as "the Web3 version of Stripe," Bridge eliminates the complexity of blockchain technology, regulatory compliance, and traditional exchange infrastructure. The platform allows developers to integrate stablecoin payments with just a few lines of code, enabling cross-border transfers that settle in minutes with fees measured in cents rather than percentages.

Bridge serves hundreds of teams globally, including major customers like Coinbase, SpaceX, Bitso, DolarApp, Airtm, Wirex, MetaMask, Phantom, and Shopify, powering use cases from international payroll to consumer dollar accounts.

Key Products

Orchestration API

The foundation of Bridge's platform, Orchestration enables seamless conversion between any two dollar formats—whether USD, EUR, USDC, USDT, PYUSD, or other stablecoins.

Capabilities:

• Move funds across blockchains (Ethereum, Solana, Base, etc.)
• Convert between fiat and stablecoins
• Accept stablecoin payments from customers
• Transfer funds globally in minutes
• Micro-cent transaction costs
• Single API integration

Supported Networks:

• Ethereum
• Solana
• Base
• Polygon
• And additional EVM chains

Issuance API (Open Issuance)

Launch your own branded stablecoin with Bridge's Open Issuance platform. Reserves are managed by tier-1 custodians like BlackRock and Fidelity, invested in US Treasuries earning 3-4% annually.

Features:

• Create custom-branded stablecoins
• Earn rewards from reserves (3-4% annually)
• Full interoperability with other Open Issuance stablecoins
• No minting or burning fees
• 1:1 USD backing
• GENIUS-ready compliance
• Instant swaps between Open Issuance stablecoins

Stablecoins Built on Bridge:

• USDB (Bridge's off-the-shelf stablecoin)
• CASH (Phantom Wallet)
• USDH (Hyperliquid via Native Markets)
• Custom coins from MetaMask, Dakota, Slash, Lava, Takenos

Cards API

Issue stablecoin-backed cards globally through a single API integration, powered by Bridge's partnership with Visa.

Features:

• Virtual and physical card issuance
• Spend at merchants in 150+ countries
• No cross-border fees (unique Visa collaboration)
• Launch new card programs in weeks
• Add countries in as little as one day
• Flexible wallet integrations (custodial or non-custodial)
• Real-time insights and monitoring
• Earn interchange revenue on every transaction

Current Markets:

• Africa
• Latin America
• United States
• EU and APAC launching 2026

Card Partners:

• Phantom (CASH stablecoin card)
• Sendwave (Zepz/WorldRemit)
• Additional fintech and neobank partners

Wallets API

Create digital asset wallets at scale for consumers and businesses.

Features:

• Onchain security management
• Gas fee handling
• Technical complexity abstracted away
• Custody licenses in 100+ countries
• Integration with Orchestration and Cards APIs

Cross-Border Payments API

Send international payments with instant settlement, 24/7 availability.

Features:

• Real-time global payments
• Significant FX cost savings
• USD and EUR virtual accounts
• Local payment rail connections

Use Cases

Global Payroll & Contractor Payments

Pay employees and contractors worldwide in stablecoins. Recipients can hold digital dollars or convert to local currency.

Example: Airtm uses Bridge to pay thousands of gig workers and aid recipients globally with real-time stablecoin-based payouts.

Consumer Dollar Accounts

Enable customers to save and spend in USD/EUR regardless of their location—critical in regions with currency volatility.

Example: DolarApp provides Latin American consumers and businesses access to digital dollars using Bridge infrastructure.

B2B Cross-Border Payments

Replace SWIFT and traditional wire transfers with stablecoin rails for faster, cheaper international B2B payments.

Example: Bitso built a new stablecoin-based payment rail between LATAM and the US powered by Bridge.

Merchant Stablecoin Acceptance

Enable businesses to accept stablecoin payments with settlement in their preferred currency.

Example: Shopify merchants can accept stablecoin payments through Stripe's Bridge-powered integration.

Treasury Management

Move company funds out of local currency into stablecoins for simplified global treasury operations.

Aid & Government Disbursements

Bridge works with the US government and aid organizations to disburse payments via stablecoins to recipients globally.

Pricing

Bridge operates primarily as a B2B API platform with custom enterprise pricing. Key pricing characteristics include:

General Principles:

• Transaction fees measured in cents (micro-cent costs for many operations)
• No hidden fees on stablecoin issuance (no minting/burning fees)
• Rewards sharing on stablecoin reserves (3-4% annual yield passed to issuers)
• Interchange revenue sharing on card transactions
• Custom pricing based on volume and use case

Cost Advantages vs. Traditional Finance:

• Cross-border transfers: Minutes instead of days
• Transaction costs: Cents instead of percentage-based fees
• FX savings: Competitive rates on currency conversion
• No cross-border fees on Bridge-powered Visa cards

Contact sales@bridge.xyz for specific pricing

Who Is Bridge For?

Ideal Users:

• Fintech Companies: Building global payment products
• Neobanks: Offering USD/EUR accounts to emerging markets
• Crypto Wallets: Adding spend functionality (cards) and fiat on/off-ramps
• Remittance Providers: Reducing costs and settlement times
• Gig Platforms: Paying global contractor networks
• E-commerce Platforms: Accepting stablecoin payments
• Creator Platforms: Disbursing earnings globally
• Treasury Teams: Managing multi-currency operations
• Aid Organizations: Distributing funds to recipients worldwide
• Banks: Exploring stablecoin strategies

Industries Served:

• Financial services
• Remittances
• Gig economy
• E-commerce
• Gaming (on-chain games)
• Web3 applications
• Government/humanitarian organizations

Not Suitable For:

• Individual consumers (B2B platform)
• Companies without technical integration capability
• Businesses in non-supported jurisdictions
• Those seeking retail-facing products directly

Regulatory & Compliance

Licensing

• US: Money transmission licenses in 48 states
• US Entity: Bridge Building Inc (NMLS #2450917)
• EU/EEA: Bridge Building Sp. Z.o.o. (KRS: 0001039515, RDWW-794)
• Poland: VASP license
• Additional: Applications pending in New York and other European jurisdictions
• Custody: Licensed in 100+ countries for asset custody

Compliance Features

• Full regulatory complexity handled by Bridge
• KYC/AML integration
• GENIUS-ready stablecoin infrastructure
• Compliance built into API layer

Reserve Management

• Stablecoin reserves held with tier-1 custodians
• Partners include BlackRock and Fidelity
• Reserves invested in US Treasuries
• 1:1 USD backing for all Bridge-issued stablecoins

Technology & Security

Infrastructure

• API-first architecture
• Single integration for global coverage
• Developer documentation available at apidocs.bridge.xyz
• Handles onchain security and gas management
• Smart contract functionality for wallet integrations

Supported Stablecoins

• USDC
• USDT
• PYUSD
• USDB (Bridge native)
• Custom Open Issuance stablecoins

Integration Partners

• Stripe (parent company)
• Visa (card issuing)
• Privy (wallet infrastructure)

Stripe Acquisition

In October 2024, Stripe acquired Bridge for $1.1 billion—Stripe's largest acquisition ever and the biggest deal in crypto history.

Strategic Rationale:

• Stripe processes $1+ trillion annually (1% of global GDP)
• Cross-border payments growing 50% annually for Stripe
• Stablecoins can meaningfully reduce costs vs. traditional rails
• Bridge provides infrastructure Stripe lacked for stablecoin settlement

Post-Acquisition:

• Bridge team (~60 people) onboarded at Stripe SF headquarters
• Joint product development underway
• Bridge powers Stripe's stablecoin payment features
• Integration with broader Stripe merchant ecosystem

Company Information

• Founded: 2022
• Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas, USA
• Acquired By: Stripe (October 2024, $1.1 billion)
• Co-Founders:
  • Zach Abrams (CEO) — Former Head of Consumer Products at Coinbase, co-founder of Evenly (acquired by Block/Square in 2013)
  • Sean Yu — Former senior engineer at Coinbase and Airbnb, co-founder of Evenly
• Team Size: ~60 employees
• Total Funding: $58 million (pre-acquisition)
• Last Valuation: $200 million (Series A, August 2024)
• Key Investors: Sequoia Capital, Ribbit Capital, Index Ventures, Haun Ventures, 1confirmation, BEDROCK

Key Customers & Partners

• Coinbase
• SpaceX
• Bitso
• DolarApp
• Airtm
• Wirex
• MetaMask
• Phantom
• Shopify
• Tazapay
• Dakota
• Sendwave (Zepz/WorldRemit)
• US Government (aid disbursements)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Industry-leading stablecoin infrastructure
• Backed by Stripe ($70B+ payments giant)
• Simple API integration (days, not months)
• Global reach (100+ countries)
• Micro-cent transaction costs
• No cross-border fees on cards (Visa partnership)
• Earn 3-4% on stablecoin reserves
• Launch custom stablecoins with shared liquidity
• Regulatory complexity handled by Bridge
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance

Cons:

• B2B/enterprise focus (not for individual consumers)
• Custom pricing requires sales conversation
• Technical integration required
• Some features still expanding (EU/APAC cards in 2026)
• Newer platform (founded 2022)
• Dependent on Stripe roadmap post-acquisition

Conclusion

Bridge represents a pivotal infrastructure layer for the stablecoin economy, providing developers and businesses the tools to integrate global stablecoin payments without navigating blockchain complexity or regulatory hurdles. The Stripe acquisition validates both the platform's technology and the broader thesis that stablecoins will become foundational to global money movement. For fintech companies, neobanks, and platforms serving international users, Bridge offers a compelling path to launch stablecoin-powered products with enterprise-grade infrastructure, regulatory coverage, and the backing of one of the world's largest payment processors.