Meta is moving back into the stablecoin market. Learning from the failure of the Libra project seven years ago, this time they seem to be taking a different approach than before.

According to multiple sources, Meta aims to introduce stablecoin payments by the second half of 2026. However, what’s notable is that Meta will not issue the stablecoins directly but will instead utilize third-party companies. Backed by a user base of 3 billion people, Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is aiming to rebuild the payment infrastructure.

Meta has already sent requests for proposals (RFPs) to several suppliers, with payment provider Stripe being the leading candidate. Stripe acquired stablecoin company Bridge last year and has been a long-term partner of Meta. Interestingly, Stripe’s CEO, Patrick Collison, just joined Meta’s board of directors in April 2025.

The Libra project in 2019 was halted due to regulatory hurdles, and it was officially canceled in 2022. At that time, the regulatory environment was not yet developed, and issues like the Cambridge Analytica scandal also damaged the company's image. But now, the situation is different. Progress has been made in stablecoin regulation frameworks, including the GENIUS Act under the Trump administration, creating a legal foundation for issuers.

That’s why Meta has taken action. However, learning from the past, they are adopting a “distance” strategy this time. Instead of issuing the stablecoins themselves, they plan to leverage partners like Stripe to diversify regulatory risks while utilizing their own user network.

If this comes to fruition, it will create a payment channel that avoids costly bank fees, significantly strengthening Meta’s position in international remittances and social commerce. At the same time, competition with other social platforms like X and Telegram will intensify. Both are also aiming to incorporate payment features, and the race to become super apps seems to be heating up.