Polygon Labs Takes Strategic Action in Response to Industry Push for Stablecoin Payments

In response to strong industry momentum to integrate broader financial services, Polygon Labs has announced the acquisition of Coinme and Sequence through deals valued at over $250 million. This move marks an escalation of Polygon’s efforts to transform its role from a general blockchain platform into a comprehensive and revenue-generating payment infrastructure.

Market Push Driving Crypto Business Model Transformation

The growing industry push to go beyond versatile blockchain has created a new wave in crypto company strategies. More projects are positioning themselves similarly to modern neobanks — offering integrated payment services, custody solutions, and regulatory compliance akin to traditional financial institutions, but operating entirely on blockchain networks. This trend reflects the reality that stablecoins have evolved into an increasingly important layer for transaction settlement, opening new opportunities for onchain payment adoption among businesses and consumers.

Two-Step Strategy: Coinme and Sequence Strengthen Polygon’s Payment Ecosystem

Coinme, one of the first Bitcoin ATM providers in the United States, brings regulated fiat on/off-ramp infrastructure into the Polygon ecosystem. Meanwhile, Sequence adds smart wallet technology and innovative cross-chain infrastructure, specifically designed to simplify crypto payment flows across various blockchains. With Sequence’s solutions, users can transact without managing the complexity of bridging, swapping, or manually paying gas fees.

These acquisitions reflect Polygon’s belief that abstracting technical complexity is key to driving mass adoption of onchain payments. Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, explained that this transformation is not sudden but the result of strategic focus initiated a year ago. “This is a shift in focus on payments that we started 12 months ago and have been building since then,” Boiron told CoinDesk.

Open Money Stack: Unlocking Cross-Chain Payment Opportunities Without Limits

This deal will serve as the foundation for Open Money Stack, a new framework designed to support stablecoin-based payments and facilitate cross-border value transfers. The stack combines blockchain settlement, smart wallet infrastructure, and fiat access into a single developer-friendly interface. Unlike solutions limited to a single network, Open Money Stack is designed to operate across multiple blockchains simultaneously.

“We fully expect that payments will be settled across various chains. Due to the very large scale of payments, there will always be many chains operating,” Boiron explained. The platform is scheduled to launch throughout 2026, marking the beginning of a new era for truly borderless stablecoin payments.

One Ecosystem, Two Separate Entities for Operational Flexibility

Although Coinme and Sequence will maintain distinct roles within the Polygon ecosystem, the company plans to present both as part of an integrated payment platform to customers. From a technological and operational perspective, they will be integrated as a cohesive whole. However, in terms of licensing and regulation, each will continue to operate as a separate entity. This approach provides flexibility to comply with various regulatory requirements while maintaining a seamless user experience.