Shopify has launched early access to stablecoin payments using Circle’s USD Coin (USDC), in a strategic collaboration with U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase. The integration is currently being tested on Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain, Base, with a full rollout planned through Shopify Payments and Shop Pay later this year. Announcing the move on Thursday, Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke called stablecoins a “natural way to transact on the internet,” adding that the company worked closely with Coinbase to develop the commerce-focused smart contract protocol behind the system. The new payment feature will also support future buyer incentives, including 1% cash back in local currency, enhancing the platform’s appeal for both customers and merchants. Why Shopify Chose Base for Its Stablecoin Integration Base, a Layer-2 network built by Coinbase, is the fourth-largest blockchain for USDC, accounting for 6% of the stablecoin’s $61 billion total supply, according to USDC Transparency and CoinGecko data. Known for its low-cost and high-speed transactions, Base offers Shopify a 24/7 global payment infrastructure, aligning with the company’s goals to streamline cross-border commerce. “Base is an ultra-fast and affordable network that has emerged as a great way for moving money,” Shopify said in a statement, citing its reliability and cost-efficiency. While the company has not disclosed plans to support USDC on other chains or additional crypto assets, the exclusive choice of Base has sparked debate online. Some users questioned the decision, suggesting that broader multi-chain support would have widened merchant access. Still, the Base integration signals Shopify’s broader intent to modernize online payments and explore blockchain-native solutions for faster, cheaper transactions. A Long Crypto History: From Bitcoin to Diem Shopify’s latest venture into stablecoins builds on more than a decade of crypto experimentation . The company enabled its merchants to accept Bitcoin as far back as 2013, partnering with third-party gateways like BitPay and Solana Pay. According to the Shopify Help Center, the platform now supports nine alternative crypto payment methods, although it notes that direct methods like Shopify Payments perform better during high-volume flash sales due to faster settlements. Shopify and Coinbase also have a shared history in crypto innovation. Both were involved in Meta’s failed Diem project (formerly Libra) , a stablecoin initiative that ultimately shut down in 2022 after global regulatory resistance . The post Shopify Introduces USDC Stablecoin Payments via Coinbase’s Base Network appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .