Will Stripe launch an L1 Blockchain network? The transformation that Blockchain may bring to the payment sector.

Recently, there have been reports in the cryptocurrency space that the globally renowned payment service provider Stripe may be planning to launch its own L1 Blockchain network. Although this has not yet been officially confirmed, multiple sources have mentioned this matter. Following the acquisition of Bridge and Privy, launching a dedicated chain may be Stripe's next move in the blockchain field.

As a leading payment service provider, Stripe has been committed to "enhancing the internet GDP," focusing on building global economic infrastructure. From this vision, Blockchain technology is undoubtedly highly attractive. In February of this year, Stripe acquired the stablecoin infrastructure company Bridge for approximately $1.1 billion, and then officially launched the "Stablecoin Financial Account" service in May. This service has been launched in 101 countries, allowing businesses to hold and transfer USDC and USDB stablecoins.

In addition, Stripe acquired the Web3 wallet infrastructure startup Privy in June, further enhancing its Blockchain technology reserves. With the existing stablecoin infrastructure and wallet technology, launching its own Blockchain mainnet seems to be a natural progression.

If Stripe really launches an L1 mainnet, it could bring about the following changes:

1. Stablecoin Settlement: Merchants can choose to settle sales revenue in USD stablecoins, which is particularly important for merchants with high demand for USD but limited access.

2. User Wallet Services: Stripe may provide simple and user-friendly wallets for individual users, supporting payments and other Web3 financial activities.

3. Customer Stablecoin Payment: Users can choose to use stablecoins for payments, providing a new alternative to traditional payment methods.

4. Direct Payment: Stripe L1 may allow users to pay merchants directly with stablecoins, bypassing issuing banks and card organizations, thereby increasing settlement speed and reducing costs.

5. Micropayment Subscription: The micropayment capability of Blockchain can support new subscription models such as billing by the minute, enabling automatic settlement based on actual usage time.

6. DeFi Utilization of Short-term Deposits: Short-term deposits in the payment process can be used for DeFi protocols, lending markets, or bond investments, enhancing capital efficiency and generating additional returns.

If Stripe truly launches its own L1 mainnet, it could mark an important beginning for the paradigm shift in payment systems. On a technical level, Stripe may simultaneously take on the roles of both issuer and card organization, significantly enhancing payment efficiency and expanding into new functionalities that traditional systems find hard to reach.

Currently, payment systems are at the brink of a blockchain-driven wave of innovation. Regardless of whether the rumors are true, any blockchain-related actions by Stripe could have a profound impact on the landscape of the payment industry. Whether blockchain will reshape payment infrastructure remains to be seen.