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Once again, the ride-hailing giant Uber is considering adding crypto as a payment option. At the Bloomberg Tech Summit in San Francisco on the 5th June 2025, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed Uber is in the “study phase” of adopting stablecoins to handle cross-border payments. While this is not the first time the company has entered into discussions regarding crypto payment adoption, this recent announcement comes as part of a global trend to adopt crypto as a payment method in several countries, regions and organizations. Uber’s focus has also shifted from more volatile assets such as Bitcoin, towards stablecoins, as a practical solution for international and overseas transactions.
In this article, we take a look back over Uber’s stance on crypto, why the company is once again considering adding crypto as a payment option, and how these discussions form part of a larger global movement towards taking crypto payments mainstream.
Uber’s stance on crypto
Uber’s interest in crypto is nothing new. This is in fact the third time the company has announced it is considering adding crypto as a payment option for Uber customers around the world. As far back as 2019, the company was a founding member of the Diem Association (formerly known as Libra), a digital currency initiative led by Meta (then Facebook). Although Diem eventually closed due to regulatory pressure, Uber’s early involvement in promoting digital assets was a sign it was willing to explore the possibility of blockchain-based payments.
In 2021 and 2022, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi made headlines by stating that Uber was open to accepting Bitcoin at some point: “We’re having conversations all the time. […] As the exchange mechanism becomes less expensive and becomes more environmentally friendly, I think you will see us leaning into crypto a little bit more.” But these conversations failed to move beyond the boardroom. Now, in 2025, Uber’s position appears to have evolved. Rather than chasing the headlines with high-risk assets like Bitcoin, the company is looking at stablecoins as a more measured approach.
Uber considers adding crypto as a payment option
At the 2025 Bloomberg Tech Summit, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced that the company is in the “study phase” of looking into the benefits of adding stablecoins to facilitate international transactions. During this phase, Uber will likely be looking into the viability, efficiency, and the regulatory implications of integrating stablecoins into its broader payments infrastructure. The renewed interest in crypto payments is far from speculative. Adding crypto as a payment option is about solving real-world payment challenges, particularly regarding cross-border payments.
Currently, sending funds overseas is slow, expensive, and heavily reliant on third-party intermediaries. Traditional methods can take several days to settle and incur fees that can have a noticeable impact on expenses. By contrast, stablecoins would offer near-instant settlement at a fraction of the cost, while maintaining security and auditability for both the payer and receiver. While Uber has not announced any concrete implementation timeline, the shift in focus from leadership suggests a more pragmatic and business-focused approach than in previous years. If adopted, crypto payments could also have a significant impact on financial inclusion for Uber’s global workforce, especially in regions where banking infrastructure is scarce.
A global trend towards mainstream crypto adoption
Uber’s consideration of crypto payments comes amidst a wave of crypto-friendly policy announcements from around the world. In Bhutan and Thailand, for example, governments have announced plans to accept crypto payments from tourists, not only offering visitors a faster, more flexible and more cost-effective means of payment abroad, but also helping to digitize rural vendors and reduce financial exclusion. Elsewhere, in Dubai and Panama City, local residents are now able to pay for municipal charges, such as taxes, fines and fees, in crypto, positioning these regions as leaders in financial innovation.
As global trends from governments, companies and organizations shift towards a more crypto-friendly stance, crypto utility gradually increases, adding more than economic value to these digital assets. As Uber’s exploration of stablecoin integration suggests, crypto is being recognized and leveraged as more than an investment asset to be used as an infrastructure tool. For a company operating across more than 70 countries, the ability to streamline cross-border transactions through blockchain technology offers clear strategic advantages. If Uber moves beyond the study phase, it could set a precedent for other multinational platforms to follow.
For more on crypto trends, or to learn how to integrate crypto payments into your business’ workflow, visit www.forumpay.com, or get in touch with our sales team to discuss any questions you may have.
