Payments processor Shift4 has launched a stablecoin based settlement platform that allows merchants to receive funds through digital currencies rather than traditional bank transfers, marking a further step toward real time, always on payment infrastructure. The new service enables participating merchants to settle transactions in stablecoins including USDC, USDT, EURC, and DAI, offering an alternative to legacy banking rails that are often constrained by operating hours and cross border frictions. According to the company, the platform is designed to support businesses operating across multiple regions by providing continuous settlement availability. Shift4 said the rollout will give hundreds of thousands of merchants worldwide access to the stablecoin settlement option, allowing them to choose digital currency payouts instead of standard fiat transfers. The move reflects growing interest among payment firms in integrating stablecoins as a settlement layer rather than positioning them as consumer facing products.
The platform supports settlement across several major blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Solana, Stellar, Polygon, TON, Plasma, and Base, giving merchants flexibility in how they receive and manage funds. By operating on multiple chains, the service aims to reduce dependence on a single network while accommodating different cost, speed, and liquidity preferences. Shift4 said the stablecoin option allows merchants to move funds continuously, without waiting for traditional banking cut off times or settlement windows. This structure is intended to improve cash flow management, particularly for global businesses that operate across time zones. Company executives described the offering as part of a broader effort to adapt payment infrastructure to modern digital finance needs, where programmable money and blockchain settlement are increasingly viewed as complements to existing systems rather than replacements.
Shift4 processes billions of dollars in transactions each year for merchants across sectors including retail, hospitality, and e commerce, and the introduction of stablecoin settlement adds another layer to its payment stack. The company said the service is especially relevant as it continues to expand internationally, where access to efficient cross border settlement remains uneven. While the platform is based on stablecoins, the company emphasized that merchants retain the choice between digital currency settlement and conventional bank transfers, positioning the feature as an optional tool rather than a mandatory shift. The launch highlights how stablecoins are increasingly being used at the infrastructure level within payments, offering faster settlement and operational flexibility without altering the end customer payment experience. It also underscores the role of regulated dollar and euro linked tokens in bridging traditional payment processing with blockchain based settlement.
