Polygon's Strategic Acquisition of Coinme and Sequence as a Catalyst for a Regulated, Global Stablecoin Payments Infrastructure

Polygon Labs' acquisition of Coinme and Sequence for over $250 million represents a pivotal shift in the blockchain industry, marking the company's transition from a decentralized infrastructure provider to a vertically integrated, regulated payments platform. By integrating Coinme's licensed fiat on- and off-ramps and Sequence's cross-chain wallet infrastructure, Polygon is constructing the "Open Money Stack"-a framework designed to bridge traditional financial systems with onchain money movement. This move not only addresses critical gaps in the stablecoin ecosystem but also positions Polygon to compete directly with legacy fintech giants like Stripe, Visa, and Mastercard while capturing a significant share of the $2 trillion onchain value transfer market according to the announcement.

Closing Gaps in the Stablecoin Ecosystem

The stablecoin sector has long struggled with interoperability, regulatory compliance, and user experience. Coinme, a U.S.-regulated entity with money-transmitter licenses in 48 states, provides Polygon with a critical bridge to traditional finance. Its nationwide retail network and enterprise-grade fiat-to-crypto conversion tools enable seamless, compliant transactions for over one million users. Meanwhile, Sequence's enterprise wallet infrastructure simplifies cross-chain interactions, abstracting complexities like gas fees and bridging. Together, these acquisitions create a cohesive infrastructure that transforms stablecoin payments into a user-friendly, programmable system.

Polygon's CEO, Marc Boiron, has framed this strategy as a "reverse Stripe"-instead of building a blockchain on top of traditional payment rails, Polygon is embedding regulated fiat infrastructure into its blockchain ecosystem. This approach aligns with the growing demand for token-independent financial services, where stablecoins act as a settlement layer for global commerce. By 2025, Polygon's stablecoin supply had surged to $3 billion, an 85% increase from Q1 2024, solidifying its position as the seventh-largest blockchain by stablecoin volume.

Revenue Scalability and Market Dominance

The Open Money Stack is not merely a technical upgrade but a revenue-generating engine. According to Polygon's roadmap, the combined infrastructure has already processed $1 billion in offchain sales and $2 trillion in onchain value transfers. The company projects over $100 million in annual revenue from real payment flows, leveraging its ability to capture a percentage of transaction volume while offering yield-generating opportunities for idle stablecoins. This model mirrors traditional payment processors but operates on a blockchain-native, programmable infrastructure.

Polygon's market dominance is further underscored by its 52% share of the omnichain USDT0 supply, making it the leading cross-chain bridge for USDT transfers. Partnerships with global fintech players like Stripe, Revolut, and Flutterwave have amplified its reach and processing capacity, enabling the processing of billions in real-world payment and settlement volume. By 2026, Polygon aims to expand its stablecoin supply to $3.3 billion, leveraging its regulatory compliance and technical depth to attract institutional and retail users alike.

Strategic Clarity Amid Industry Shifts

Despite conflicting reports suggesting a potential divestment from stablecoin payments in 2026, Polygon's 2026 strategic direction remains firmly anchored in the Open Money Stack. The company has emphasized a focus on infrastructure and partnerships rather than direct competition in stablecoin rails, a nuance that reflects broader industry trends toward vertical integration. This pivot does not signal retreat but rather a refinement of its value proposition: instead of competing on transaction fees alone, Polygon is positioning itself as a foundational layer for global money movement, abstracting complexity for developers and end-users.

Conclusion

Polygon's acquisitions of Coinme and Sequence are more than a strategic maneuver-they are a masterstroke in building a regulated, scalable, and interoperable stablecoin payments infrastructure. By closing gaps in compliance, user experience, and cross-chain functionality, Polygon is redefining the boundaries of blockchain-based finance. As stablecoins evolve from speculative assets to core settlement tools, Polygon's Open Money Stack is uniquely positioned to capture the next wave of value creation, offering a blueprint for token-independent growth in a rapidly maturing market.