Meta's Stablecoin Ambitions Revived for 2026 Launch

Meta is reportedly gearing up to introduce stablecoin payments across its social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company is targeting a launch in the latter half of 2026, with a new wallet designed for dollar-pegged tokens.

This move represents Meta's renewed interest in digital currencies, following the highly publicized collapse of its Libra project, later rebranded as Diem. Launched in 2019, Diem faced intense regulatory scrutiny and opposition from governments worldwide due to concerns over financial stability and control.

To navigate the current regulatory landscape, Meta is opting for a hands-off approach by partnering with third-party stablecoin providers. This strategy differs from the Diem era, where Meta aimed to build its own infrastructure, thereby limiting direct regulatory exposure.

Stripe appears to be a favored partner for this initiative, especially after its recent acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge. The financial technology company's CEO, Patrick Collison, has also joined Meta's board, signaling a closer working relationship.

While Meta's initial stablecoin efforts were deemed ahead of their time, the current environment is more receptive. The GENIUS Act, signed into law on July 18, 2025, established a federal framework for payment stablecoins, imposing strict regulations on issuance and backing.

However, the current stablecoin model, characterized by centralized management and transparency, diverges significantly from the decentralized ethos of early cryptocurrency proponents like David Marcus, who now focuses on Bitcoin's Lightning Network. The McKinsey Financial Services analysis indicates that actual stablecoin payment activity, while growing, remains a small fraction of global payment volumes.