Uber to start accepting stablecoins for payment

[IceLincoln]

Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, is thinking about adding stablecoins as a payment option. The company is still in a study phase and this could be a big deal for simplifying global payments and cutting down on fees. Here's the breakdown :
1. Uber's not planning to invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin; they just want to make payments easier.
2. They're figuring out the technical and regulatory stuff before making any moves.
3. There's a chance they might accept other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in the future, but nothing's confirmed yet
These all depends on the regulatory clarity and technical integration.

This could be a cool step for Uber, and it's definitely something to watch out for. What do you think about this idea?

https://themarketperiodical.com/2025/06/07/uber-eyes-stablecoins-to-simplify-global-payment-systems/

[avikz]

Well, this is real adoption that we all think about. When corporates invest in Bitcoin, that's not adoption, that's control. But what Uber is currently exploring, is something we call real adoption.

If Uber is expanding the options for making payment, this is surely going to increase the visibility of cryptos amongst the masses. Which in turn will help cryptocurrency to gain further userbase for better.

Welcoming move, I would say! Even though nothing has been finalized yet, But I hope Uber will take a positive step.

[bitmover]

Looks like bitcoin will become the Digital Gold, and USDT/USDC/etc will become the p2p currency accepted worldwide.

Stablecoins are better for regulators, as they can be freeze if they are stolen. Also, they can run in cheaper and faster chains, as decentralization is not important.

I believe they are better than USD, as they offer way more privacy, at least for now.

[Findingnemo]

I believe they are better than USD, as they offer way more privacy, at least for now.

The mode of payment decides that. If we use cash for payment, that is the most anonymous way of making payments, and that's how USD is used all over the world for all the illegal activities, just because it is in cash (physical).

It will help with the adoption for sure, but there will be lot of regulatory issues to implement it because almost every government categorizes crypto as a digital asset rather than a currency so it is gonna be a lot of paperwork for the company to make it possible. This is why we need policies that supports and encourage the crypto payments not just for taxation then business will adopt the payment system so more payments that leads to more tax for the governments.

[mindrust]

I don’t think it has any importance or even relevance as long as they don’t accept any real crypto currency payments like btc, ltc, doge…

They offer another centralized payment system so what? Stablecoins are not decentralized and the funds can be frozen anytime. If a person thinks he is “doing crypto” while he is using these centralized networks, I must say what he is doing isn’t any different than using a good old credit card. The main idea isn’t much different in both cases. (Credit cards vs stablecoins)

If uber wants to be taken seriously, they should just accept btc directly. Even if it was through bitpay, It would still be ok. They should stop wasting everyone’s time with these nonsense.

They will do what I expect from them eventually though. Not because they really want to, it is because btc is inevitable.

[BIT-BENDER]

Stable coin is a great start for them. Stable coin is pegged to the US dollar so it makes it easier drivers and users to reach an agreement.
If you are legit about what you do and you don't have skeletons in your cupboard then I don't think you should find it a big deal to actually make use of your Crypto-currency to carry out payment.
The perfect world is when I can use my Crypto-currency to pay for all goods and services. Although I understand the compromise this may cause in anonymity and privacy regardless you can have several wallets and delegate one for making payments.

[kotajikikox]

This could be a cool step for Uber, and it's definitely something to watch out for. What do you think about this idea?

This is a good idea. Though they might not necessarily want to get into crypto but they want to use its tech or system. Using stablecoins instead of fiat will help reduce fees from usual bank transfers. It would also be a lot quicker and could be more convenient. No need to bring paper money and the uber driver do not need to have a bank account to receive payment.

[el kaka22]

Well, that could be a good move for adoption because it will introduce stablecoins and cryptocurrencies to new people as Uber has a very large user base worldwide, and probably not all of them are already into cryptocurrencies, but if they see this alternative, and do some research, they will find out how they will save so much money on fees and everything and how they can effortlessly make personal payments without involving their banks or corporates watching over their transactions and where they spend their money.

Global adoption is increasing over time for cryptocurrencies, and that's a positive thing for the whole market as more and more people will know about them, and retail investors will increase in number over time because that's how things spread to the masses and then they become very common all around the world. If Uber does it, who knows? More car booking services and companies around the world might follow suit.

[batang_bitcoin]

1. Uber's not planning to invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin; they just want to make payments easier.

It's okay if they have it like this because that's the purpose of stable coins, for payments. But, this is just the start of their exploration. When they have understood how the economics on cryptocurrencies, they might start to consider investing on Bitcoin. It's a welcoming development for Uber if they have it already in their plans to start accepting stable coins for the fare and payment method. And so, let's wait on how this progress is going to be and we're happy that they're considering customers that would like to pay in stable coins.

[Rruchi man]

This could be a cool step for Uber, and it's definitely something to watch out for. What do you think about this idea?

Well, the company may decide to add stablecoins as a means for payment, but I believe that real adoption will happen when the drivers behind the wheels start deciding to accept stablecoins for rides made.

I don't know about other countries, but in mine, Uber drivers are always in a hurry to receive payment for the rides through the quickest means possible. If they get to know that payment with stablecoins is the fastest, that can drive adoption.

[Cryptohygenic]

Should be a reserve strategy of acquiring a huge amount of bitcoin or whatever cryptocurrencies they might want to invest in the future after much they must have stacked a lot of stable coins so that it will be easy for them to purchase their desired cryptocurrencies by converting the stable coins to the affirmed volatile coins without buying on the p2p.
I think they also foresees a good accumulating strategy with this one.

[AmoreJaz]

Should be a reserve strategy of acquiring a huge amount of bitcoin or whatever cryptocurrencies they might want to invest in the future after much they must have stacked a lot of stable coins so that it will be easy for them to purchase their desired cryptocurrencies by converting the stable coins to the affirmed volatile coins without buying on the p2p.
I think they also foresees a good accumulating strategy with this one.

Stablecoins like USDT or USDC is somehow similar as accepting US$. So I think, that's feasible for them in the very near future. Maybe, they are just looking for the government protocols with respect to accepting crypto payments, before they will start accepting such form of payment. And that is indeed one way of accumulating stablecoin, where they can use it to trade for other cryptocurrencies. Only a matter of time before these companies will start accepting several alts in their payment platform.

There's already long list of companies which are accepting crypto. The article below was in 2021. How much more this 2025?

Companies accepting digital currencies payments 2021

This article on the other hand, explore the uses of stable coin, in which, it is no surprise if more companies are employing stablecoin in their payment gateway.

Top Stablecoin Use Cases You Should Know in 2025

[Swordsoffreedom]

Looks like bitcoin will become the Digital Gold, and USDT/USDC/etc will become the p2p currency accepted worldwide.

Stablecoins are better for regulators, as they can be freeze if they are stolen. Also, they can run in cheaper and faster chains, as decentralization is not important.

That is what has been happening. Bitcoin will become an asset, a store of value or maybe a safe haven in the future. Bitcoin is unlikely to become a world currency because governments do not want a decentralized currency. There are too many barriers to bitcoin becoming a legitimate global currency or payment method. Stablecoins or some altcoins would be a better choice as they are easier to manage.

I believe they are better than USD, as they offer way more privacy, at least for now.

This is true for now but will not last as it is not just the US that is pushing bills to regulate and control Stablecoins. Other governments are also pushing to legalize them as well as create their own national stablecoins.

[shinratensei_]

Sounds good but I wonder how their payment mechanism and what blockchain they gonna be using but I assume it will be the fast and cheap blockchain ones like solana and the fact that solana has just recently broke through its stablecoin TVL milestone.
Stablecoin has always been a solution to payment for people who worry too much about volatility but always being overlooked.

However i'm still waiting for big company like amazon to at the very least use stablecoin if not bitcoin, so I can break free from using debit card with its massive fee.

[Agbamoni]

This could be a cool step for Uber, and it's definitely something to watch out for. What do you think about this idea?

https://themarketperiodical.com/2025/06/07/uber-eyes-stablecoins-to-simplify-global-payment-systems/

8 years ago this forum user Ehrhc spoked about sending petitions to Uber and Lyft to accept Bitcoin in the thread - Uber & Lyft to accept Bitcoin. He felt Lyft will respond faster but here we are talking about Uber accepting cryptocurrencies for payment. The thing is we don't really know what will happen in the next few years, if sooner they will shift to accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency after this move on stablecoins. This is real adoption to be sincere. After steak n shakes made their announcement i knew we will be expecting more private companies from different sectors accepting cryptocurrency.

[Despairo]

I think money changer will die sooner or later because people can easily convert their local currency to foreign stable coins, the rate is also higher than what offered by money changer. The reason why they still exist because people have a problem to receive foreign stable coins in local banks, usually either the exchanges not offer that feature or the banks not support foreign currencies.

Now they can skip the last step, after they convert to stable coins, they can spent it directly.

[Die_empty]

This could be a cool step for Uber, and it's definitely something to watch out for. What do you think about this idea?

With its lower volatility, cheap transaction fees, speed, etc, adopting stablecoins might be a good step for the company. Giving customers alternative payment options will increase their customer base and also promote crypto adoption. Trans border transactions could also be cheaper, thereby reducing the operational cost of the company.

It will help with the adoption for sure, but there will be lot of regulatory issues to implement it because almost every government categorizes crypto as a digital asset rather than a currency so it is gonna be a lot of paperwork for the company to make it possible. This is why we need policies that supports and encourage the crypto payments not just for taxation then business will adopt the payment system so more payments that leads to more tax for the governments.

The EU have a comprehensive regulatory framework under Markets in Crypto-Assets laws that covers how digital assets and stablecoins are used within member states. So Uber wouldn't have many issues adopting this policy in the EU. A company like Uber has lots of professionals on its payroll; hence, paperwork will not be an impediment.

[Y3shot]

3. There's a chance they might accept other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in the future, but nothing's confirmed yet
These all depends on the regulatory clarity and technical integration.

This could be a cool step for Uber, and it's definitely something to watch out for. What do you think about this idea?

https://themarketperiodical.com/2025/06/07/uber-eyes-stablecoins-to-simplify-global-payment-systems/

It is possible that after some time, Bitcoin can be added as another payment option. This is a new development, and I think they are currently selecting a stablecoin for now. Well, I am not surprised about this payment option from Uber because everything is becoming digital. A lot of companies and businesses are accepting crypto as payment, and we are yet to see more companies adding crypto as a method of payment.

But with the rate of kidnapping investors, I don't know if this will affect the privacy of Bitcoin investors if Bitcoin is selected as a method of payment in the near future.

[Porfirii]

Several years ago you could buy some things with Bitcoin directly. I was just a newbie then but you could pay for flights in eDreams if I remember well, and even purchase a Tesla (during a limited time, thanks for nothing Elon). But we've been witnessing the contrary trend in the last years, and you had to rely on third parties who would get your coins and give you vouchers or load balance in a debit card instead.

Reading that a big company like Uber is planning to accept crypto, in this case stablecoins, as a means of payment, feels like getting back on track.

[Alphakilo]

They said they are under studying is we should wait for the conclusion and recommendations of just study. Uber please the eventually do this would be copied by other e cab hailing companies.

And I know that they'll have to invest in Bitcoin at some point but will tie it cryptocurrencies.

Congratulations to them as I expect them to get ready for them to enter the market.