Shopify Goes Full Crypto: USDC Payments Now Live on Base Network

Shopify just flipped the script for e-commerce—merchants can now accept USDC payments via Coinbase''s Base network. No more fiat gatekeepers.

Why it matters: This isn''t just another ''crypto option.'' Base''s low fees and Ethereum security make this a real threat to legacy payment rails. Suddenly, settling in T+3 days looks positively medieval.

The fine print: While Visa still dominates checkout pages, Shopify''s move signals where the smart money''s heading. (And by smart money, we mean the kind that doesn''t pay 3% in processing fees for the privilege of waiting.)

Bottom line: Another brick in the wall between traditional finance and the internet''s native currency layer. Banks won''t like this—which is exactly why it''s working.

TLDR

• Shopify is rolling out USDC stablecoin payments across its platform, starting with early access this week and expanding throughout 2025
• The integration runs on Coinbase’s Base blockchain and allows merchants to receive payouts in local currency or keep USDC directly
• Partnership between Shopify, Coinbase, and Stripe powers the system with features like refunds, chargebacks, and regulatory compliance
• Merchants can earn up to 0.5% cashback on USDC sales while US customers get 1% cashback on purchases
• Critics question the decision to support only Base blockchain instead of multiple networks for broader accessibility

Shopify has announced the launch of USDC stablecoin payments across its e-commerce platform. The feature allows customers to pay with Circle’s USDC stablecoin while merchants receive payouts in their local currency by default.

Shopify will enable USDC (Stablecoins on @Base) in Checkout via Shopify Payments and Shop Pay. Early access starts today, roll out throughout the year.

We think that stablecoins are a natural way to transact on the Internet and worked with coinbase to develop the commerce… pic.twitter.com/o6jme8kSha

— tobi lutke (@tobi) June 12, 2025

The integration launches in early access this week and will expand to more merchants throughout 2025. Shopify plans a “default-on” rollout starting in late June for early-access merchants before expanding to the broader Shopify Payments user base.

The system operates on Coinbase’s Base blockchain, an ethereum layer-2 network. Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke said the integration uses a new smart contract-based payment protocol designed for e-commerce transactions.

Merchants can choose to receive payments in local fiat currency or retain earnings in USDC directly. The system eliminates the need for third-party crypto gateways or additional plugins for processing stablecoin payments.

Partnership Powers Payment Infrastructure

The USDC payment system results from a partnership between Shopify, Coinbase, and Stripe. Together, the companies developed an open-source payments protocol built on the Base blockchain.

This collaboration enables Shopify to offer standard payment features including refunds, chargebacks, delayed capture, and built-in regulatory compliance. Stripe supported the backend integration to abstract crypto payment complexity from the merchant experience.

The partnership introduces financial incentives to encourage adoption. Merchants processing USDC transactions can earn up to 0.5% cashback on sales.

US-based customers paying with USDC will receive 1% cashback on purchases. This customer cashback promotion is expected to launch before the end of 2025.

Cross-Border Commerce Benefits

The USDC integration aims to simplify international transactions for businesses. Traditional cross-border payments often involve currency conversion fees, lengthy settlement times, and multiple intermediary institutions.

Blockchain-based stablecoins can settle quickly with minimal fees and without currency conversions. This approach could benefit small and medium-sized businesses seeking to expand into global markets.

The system allows transactions to process without the typical barriers of international commerce. Merchants can serve customers across different countries and currencies more efficiently.

Limited Blockchain Support Draws Criticism

Shopify’s decision to support USDC exclusively on Base has faced criticism from some crypto industry leaders. Critics argue for broader blockchain interoperability instead of single-chain support.

Mert Mumtaz, CEO of solana development firm Helius, questioned the logic of restricting access to one blockchain. He suggested Shopify should support all chains that Stripe supports via USDC.

The criticism reflects ongoing debate in digital payments about chain-agnostic strategies. Developers argue that supporting multiple blockchains WOULD increase access and reduce transaction friction.

Some industry observers believe broader blockchain support would enable greater participation in decentralized finance. They point to the composability of stablecoins like USDC across different networks.

Shopify plans to make USDC payments available to all merchants globally by the end of 2025. The company has not announced plans to expand beyond Base blockchain support at this time.