In 2026, WalletConnect plans to push deeper into digital payments, positioning walletconnect pay as a bridge between crypto users, merchants, and the traditional financial system.
Here an interview we recently did with Wallet Connect CEO on YouTube:
WalletConnect pivots from connectivity to payments
WalletConnect has unveiled an expansion into the crypto payments sector scheduled for 2026, building on a year of rapid growth. In 2025, the connectivity infrastructure provider reported 119% year-over-year growth, processing more than $400 billion in network volume across its ecosystem.
The company currently supports over 700 wallets globally and serves 55.5 million active users. Moreover, executives frame this move as a strategic shift aimed at bringing crypto payments from onchain activity into everyday commerce, including retail, online, and financial services.
WalletConnect says it wants to close the gap between digital asset ownership and real-world spending. However, rather than abandoning its core connectivity product, the firm is layering payments functionality on top of its existing infrastructure.
Building infrastructure for mainstream crypto adoption
The new initiative, branded WalletConnect Pay, will target payment solution providers and point-of-sale systems as well as online platforms. It is designed to support crypto payments across e-commerce checkouts, cards, and a range of fintech applications that want to add digital asset rails.
Banks and other financial institutions are expected to be able to plug into the same rails to unlock banks crypto payments capabilities. Moreover, the company highlights its existing footprint: more than 700 supported wallets provide broad reach across the global crypto ecosystem.
Industry data cited by WalletConnect shows that stablecoin transaction volume has already surpassed major card networks. Annual flows now reach trillions of dollars, outpacing Visa and Mastercard combined and underscoring the scale of onchain money movement.
That said, real-world utility for everyday purchases remains limited. Most consumers still cannot reliably use stablecoins such as USDC to buy coffee, groceries, or typical retail goods, even though the onchain transaction base is already massive.
WalletConnect intends to tackle this gap through strategic partnerships rather than direct competition. However, its model is to collaborate with incumbent payment processors and financial infrastructure providers, integrating crypto rails into what merchants and users already know.
This collaborative approach seeks to leverage established networks while overlaying crypto payments integration capabilities. Merchants will be able to accept payments from any supported wallet or blockchain, abstracting away the complexity of the underlying protocols.
Neutral network for the global crypto economy
The company describes itself as a crypto-native analog to major global card schemes. WalletConnect aims to operate as an open, neutral network that connects millions of users and thousands of wallets without favoring specific assets or chains.
The infrastructure is built to support transactions across hundreds of blockchain networks. Users can pay with popular stablecoins, including USDC, USDT, PYUSD, and DAI, giving merchants access to a broad spectrum of dollar-linked assets.
Moreover, the platform also handles major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, as well as networks like Sui and Polygon, among others. This multi-chain wallet support aims to deliver seamless interoperability across the onchain economy.
WalletConnect says this design abstracts away the technical complexity of dealing with many chains. However, in practice it functions similarly to how traditional card networks simplify settlement and routing behind a single consumer payment experience.
The company maintains existing partnerships with leading fintech platforms, including Stripe and Coinbase Commerce. Integration with compliance and on-ramp providers such as SumSub and MoonPay further extends its market reach into both retail and institutional segments.
Previously, WalletConnect worked with dtcpay in Singapore to support point of sale crypto payments across the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, the firm confirms that its core WalletConnect connectivity product will continue to operate alongside the new payments offering.
The companys 2026 roadmap centers on delivering comprehensive crypto payment solutions to a global audience. That said, the success of WalletConnect Pay will depend on execution, regulatory clarity, and merchant adoption, as the firm attempts to turn massive onchain volumes into everyday spending options.
In summary, WalletConnect is leveraging its walletconnect network growth and multi-chain infrastructure to move from pure connectivity to full-stack payments, targeting a world where using crypto at checkout is as simple as tapping a card.
Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2026/01/08/walletconnect-pay-mainstream-2026/
