WalletConnect Pay and the Rise of Onchain Payments: Why Crypto Payments Are No Longer a Niche-They're the Next Infrastructure Play

The evolution of payment systems has long been defined by the pursuit of efficiency, security, and scalability. In 2025, a new paradigm is emerging: onchain payments, powered by protocols like WalletConnect Pay, are transitioning from experimental use cases to foundational infrastructure. This shift is not merely speculative-it is being driven by exponential adoption metrics, institutional validation, and a growing convergence between traditional finance and decentralized systems. For investors, the question is no longer if crypto payments will scale, but how quickly they will become the next global infrastructure layer.

The Adoption Explosion: From Niche to Network Effect

WalletConnect Pay has become a linchpin in the onchain economy, with its network facilitating 352.8 million connections across 51.7 million unique wallets by August 2025. This growth is not just quantitative but qualitative: the protocol now powers 57,980 integrated applications, spanning exchanges, marketplaces, and enterprise platforms. Its Total Network Volume (TNV) is projected to hit $400 billion annually, with 72% of payments settled in stablecoins- a testament to their role as a bridge between crypto and traditional commerce.

Notably, Ethereum Mainnet dominates 77.4% of TNV, underscoring its position as the backbone of onchain payments, while BNB Chain and Arbitrum follow as complementary layers. This multi-chain architecture ensures scalability and resilience, critical for mainstream adoption. Meanwhile, institutional custodians like Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise, and BitGo have integrated WalletConnect, signaling trust in its security and compliance frameworks.

Infrastructure for the Future: Scalability, Interoperability, and Enterprise Adoption

WalletConnect Pay's value proposition lies in its ability to abstract complexity. For merchants, it enables crypto checkout without holding digital assets on balance sheets or investing in specialized hardware. According to the CEO, this is a game-changer for enterprises like Coinbase, Stripe, and Shopify, which rely on WalletConnect to offer compliant, user-friendly crypto payment flows. The protocol's design also supports customized, interoperable solutions across chains and wallets, making it a universal adapter for both decentralized and centralized systems.

A key innovation is its focus on the "messy middle" of payments-authorization, refunds, and dispute resolution-which have historically hindered crypto's usability. By automating these processes, WalletConnect Pay aligns onchain transactions with the expectations of traditional commerce. For example, its partnership with Ingenico allows merchants to accept stablecoin payments via Android-based terminals, leveraging a network of 700 compatible wallets and 500 million users. This integration into physical retail marks a pivotal step toward mainstream adoption.

Stablecoins: The Bridge to Real-World Commerce

Stablecoins are the lifeblood of onchain payments. USDC and USDT dominate WalletConnect's payment volume, with USDC alone accounting for 54% of total value. These tokens enable low-cost, instant settlements, critical for everyday transactions. As global mobile wallet users surge toward 5.8 billion by 2029 and digital wallet transaction values reach $17 trillion, the overlap will only deepen.

WalletConnect's infrastructure is already primed for this future. Features like token aggregation, embedded checkout flows, and fraud protection ensure that crypto payments are not just possible but competitive with legacy systems. Future upgrades-recurring payments, loyalty programs, and NFC-enabled tap-to-pay-will further cement its role as a universal payment layer.

Why This Is an Infrastructure Play

The case for WalletConnect Pay as an infrastructure investment hinges on three pillars:
1. Network Effects: With 51.7 million wallets and 57,980 apps, the protocol is building a self-reinforcing ecosystem.
2. Enterprise Adoption: Partnerships with Stripe, Shopify, and Ingenico demonstrate its utility beyond crypto-native use cases.
3. Regulatory Readiness: Compliance tools and custodian integrations position it to navigate evolving regulatory landscapes.

For investors, the implications are clear: WalletConnect Pay is not a speculative bet but a foundational layer in the global payments stack. As onchain commerce matures, its role in facilitating seamless, secure, and scalable transactions will only grow.

Conclusion

The rise of onchain payments is no longer a niche experiment-it is a structural shift in how value moves globally. WalletConnect Pay, with its robust infrastructure, institutional backing, and user-centric design, is at the forefront of this transformation. For those seeking to capitalize on the next phase of financial infrastructure, the message is simple: the future of payments is onchain, and it is already here.