In the ongoing race to bridge the gap between crypto and real-world payments, infrastructure startup Mesh has taken a bold new step: integrating Apple Pay into its crypto-to-stablecoin payment system.
Announced during Token2049 in Dubai, the new feature will allow users to spend their crypto assets using Apple Pay, while merchants receive stablecoins - streamlining both ends of the transaction and offering a familiar interface for consumers.
The initiative is slated to go live later this quarter, and it could significantly shift how people use digital assets in everyday commerce. Behind the scenes, Mesh’s proprietary SmartFunding system automatically converts crypto into stablecoins at checkout, making it possible for any retailer - whether physical or digital - to accept crypto payments without ever holding crypto themselves.
“We believe that as soon as crypto payments are as seamless as fiat payments, nothing is left to stop the mass migration of global commerce onto blockchain rails,” said Bam Azizi, Mesh CEO and co-founder.
The promise of crypto as a day-to-day payment method has long been tempered by usability and regulatory friction. Mesh’s Apple Pay integration could become a tipping point - particularly as stablecoins evolve into one of the most critical instruments in digital finance.
The Last-Mile Problem in Crypto Payments
For over a decade, blockchain proponents have promised a revolution in payments - instantaneous, borderless, and nearly free transactions without middlemen. Yet despite billions in venture funding and waves of innovation, crypto payments still represent a fraction of global transactions. Why?
The answer lies in the “last mile” - the gap between blockchain-based systems and mainstream consumer behavior. While crypto wallets and payment rails are technically advanced, average users expect the same ease they find with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or traditional credit cards. Merchants, on the other hand, are wary of volatile assets, tax implications, and compliance complexity.
Mesh’s model addresses both ends of the equation:
- For users: Apple Pay support offers the convenience and security of contactless payments tied to mobile devices - no new interface to learn, no clunky QR codes.
- For merchants: Receiving stablecoins like USDC or USDT avoids price volatility and accounting headaches, while simplifying cross-border and multi-currency settlements.
This dual benefit could finally enable crypto payments to become a serious competitor to legacy systems especially in markets with high digital wallet penetration and growing blockchain literacy.
SmartFunding and Seamless Integration
The core of Mesh’s value proposition lies in its SmartFunding technology, which acts as a middleware layer converting user-held crypto into stablecoins during a transaction. Here's how it works in practice:
- A user initiates a purchase through a retailer that supports Mesh’s payment stack.
- At checkout, Apple Pay is selected, and Mesh facilitates the transaction by pulling funds from the user’s crypto wallet (e.g., MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet).
- In real time, the crypto is converted into a stablecoin (such as USDC or USDT).
- The stablecoin is instantly settled with the merchant via Mesh’s backend rails.
- The user completes the payment using Apple Pay’s familiar UI, making the transaction feel identical to any fiat purchase.
No new crypto-native apps are required, and merchants don’t need to touch crypto or deal with custody. This design is key to making the process legally compliant and operationally scalable, especially in jurisdictions where handling crypto introduces licensing complexity.
Why Stablecoins Are the Real MVP of Crypto Payments
Stablecoins - digital tokens pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar - are rapidly emerging as the killer app of the blockchain economy. According to data from CoinMetrics and Glassnode, stablecoins now settle more daily value than Bitcoin and Ethereum combined, particularly in cross-border payments, crypto trading, and remittances.
Key Drivers Behind Stablecoin Growth:
- Price Stability: Unlike volatile assets such as BTC or ETH, stablecoins retain value, making them suitable for payments and accounting.
- Faster Settlement: Cross-border bank transfers can take 3–5 days; stablecoins settle in minutes or seconds
- Lower Fees: Particularly valuable for international workers, gig economy platforms, and underbanked users
- Programmability: Enables smart contracts, subscriptions, and escrow-like mechanisms to operate without intermediaries.
It's no surprise that even TradFi players are entering the space:
- PayPal launched its own stablecoin, PYUSD, in 2023.
- Stripe recently re-entered the crypto market, piloting stablecoin payments via its acquisition of Bridge.
- Visa and Mastercard have also been experimenting with USDC-based settlement.
Mesh’s integration of stablecoin payments into the Apple Pay experience now joins this broader push to bring real utility to digital dollars.
Mesh’s Strategy: Infrastructure First, UX Second
Founded by Bam Azizi and backed by investors including PayPal Ventures and Galaxy Digital, Mesh has focused squarely on building robust backend infrastructure for crypto-native payments and account aggregation. The company raised $82 million earlier this year, earmarked for expanding its global stablecoin settlement network and forging new merchant partnerships.
Unlike wallet providers or retail-facing apps, Mesh operates more like a Stripe-for-crypto - abstracting the complexity of blockchain transactions for both consumers and businesses. It connects to dozens of exchanges, wallets, and DeFi protocols via APIs, making it easier for fintechs and merchants to plug in crypto payments without reinventing the wheel.
Adding Apple Pay is a tactical move. It allows Mesh to ride on the shoulders of Apple’s trusted payment ecosystem while quietly embedding blockchain functionality under the hood.
This mirrors what Stripe did for credit card payments in the 2010s - turning complex banking interactions into a few lines of code for developers. Mesh is aiming to do the same for stablecoins and digital assets.
Crypto Payments Beyond Borders
Mesh’s expansion strategy also hinges on one of the most underappreciated advantages of crypto payments: borderless commerce.
In many emerging markets- particularly in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa - stablecoins are increasingly used to bypass capital controls, hedge against inflation, and move money across borders without reliance on traditional banking infrastructure.
The ability to combine Apple Pay’s global distribution (active in over 75 countries) with Mesh’s crypto-to-stablecoin backend could unlock new cross-border use cases:
- International e-commerce: Shoppers in Argentina or Nigeria could pay U.S. retailers directly in crypto.
- Freelance and creator payments: Platforms could pay users instantly in stablecoins via familiar interfaces.
- Travel and tourism: Tourists could use crypto abroad without incurring FX fees or navigating cash withdrawals.
The traditional cross-border payment industry - dominated by SWIFT, Western Union, and correspondent banks - remains expensive and slow. Mesh’s model offers a compelling alternative for both consumers and businesses.
Challenges Ahead: Regulation, UX, and Competing Rails
Despite its promise, Mesh will face meaningful challenges as it rolls out this new capability. These include:
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Regulatory Pressure on Stablecoins Governments are actively crafting legislation for stablecoins, particularly in the U.S., EU, and Asia. Some jurisdictions may view dollar-backed stablecoins as shadow dollars that threaten monetary sovereignty. Mesh must navigate evolving compliance regimes, particularly around KYC/AML, custody, and taxation.
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Apple’s Walled Garden While Apple Pay integration offers a shortcut to user familiarity, Apple tightly controls access to NFC, in-app payment flows, and wallet interactions. Any future policy changes could restrict how crypto-native firms integrate with its system.
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User Education and Trust Even with Apple Pay integration, users still need to authorize wallet connections, understand gas fees, and choose which asset to spend. If not handled elegantly, onboarding friction could deter mainstream users.
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Competitive Rails Mesh is not alone. Startups like MoonPay, Ramp, Transak, and Alchemy Pay are also vying to build the on/off ramps and settlement layers for crypto commerce. The battle for mindshare and integrations will intensify.
Final thoughts
Mesh’s move to integrate Apple Pay with stablecoin settlement isn’t just a feature update - it’s a signal of where crypto payments are heading. By abstracting away the blockchain backend and delivering consumer-friendly payment flows, Mesh is laying the groundwork for a world where spending crypto is no harder than tapping your phone.
The broader context matters: stablecoins are becoming core infrastructure in the digital economy. As central banks, fintechs, and TradFi giants all circle around the same prize - programmable money and global payment rails - Mesh’s bet is to power the pipes behind the scenes.
If successful, the company could become a foundational player in a new era of payments - one where the average shopper doesn’t know, or care, that they just used Ethereum or Solana to buy their coffee. They just know it worked, instantly. And that’s exactly what mass adoption looks like.