Connor Fitzgerald, Stripe’s Head of Partnerships for stablecoin initiatives, has announced his departure from the company after helping build and expand its global stablecoin payments infrastructure.
Fitzgerald revealed that his final week at Stripe and its stablecoin platform Bridge recently concluded, marking the end of a period during which he played a key role in launching and scaling Stripe’s stablecoin card programme.
According to Fitzgerald, he joined Bridge shortly after Stripe completed its acquisition of the company. At the time, there was no established stablecoin card programme supported by a sponsor bank. His primary responsibility was to build the banking and card-network partnerships needed to make the programme operational and compliant across multiple jurisdictions.
He said the team spent considerable time establishing sponsor-bank relationships, navigating regulatory requirements, and developing the infrastructure necessary to support international expansion. Over time, the programme grew from a concept into a global operation spanning more than 100 markets.
Fitzgerald highlighted several milestones achieved during his tenure, including the launch of the first stablecoin settlement flow in the United States and the growth of annualised payment volume from zero to tens of millions of dollars. He also worked closely with major financial institutions and payment networks, including Visa, to support stablecoin-backed card programmes for fintech companies and digital wallet providers.
His departure comes as Stripe continues to expand its stablecoin business following its acquisition of Bridge for approximately $1.1 billion. The acquisition strengthened Stripe’s position in blockchain-based payments by providing infrastructure that allows businesses to move funds using stablecoins and other digital assets.
Bridge has recently secured important regulatory approvals in Europe, including authorisation under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework and an Electronic Money Institution licence in Luxembourg. These approvals enable the company to offer regulated services across all EU member states and expand products such as euro-backed stablecoins and cross-border payment solutions.
Earlier this year, Visa and Stripe also expanded their partnership to support stablecoin-backed card programmes in more than 100 countries, further strengthening Stripe’s presence in digital payments.
Looking ahead, Fitzgerald indicated that he intends to remain active in the blockchain and financial technology sector. Reflecting on his experience working with numerous stablecoin companies, he said he believes the future of banking will be built directly on blockchain networks rather than relying solely on traditional financial infrastructure.
While he did not reveal details about his next project, he suggested that more information will be announced soon.
His exit comes at a time when stablecoins are becoming an increasingly important part of global payments, with major financial and technology companies investing heavily in blockchain-based payment systems, cross-border transfers, and digital financial services. Stripe has made stablecoins a central part of its long-term strategy and is expected to continue expanding its infrastructure and partnerships despite Fitzgerald’s departure.
