Stripe stablecoin partnerships executive Connor Fitzgerald has left the company after helping build its global stablecoin card infrastructure through Bridge. His departure comes as Stripe continues to expand regulated stablecoin payment services across more than 100 markets, following product launches, regulatory approvals, and broader plans for blockchain-based payments.

Fitzgerald Helped Build Stripe’s Stablecoin Card Infrastructure

Fitzgerald left Stripe after working on the stablecoin card infrastructure developed following Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge. He joined Bridge one month after the acquisition closed and focused on building sponsor bank relationships, as well as partnerships with payment networks that supported global card issuance.

In a July 27, 2026 post on X, Fitzgerald said his final week at Stablecoin and Stripe had ended: https://x.com/cnrfitz/status/2081550509941645372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Last week was my final week at @Stablecoin and @stripe .

I joined one month after the acquisition closed, when no one had built a stablecoin card program with a true sponsor bank, and helped build the global card program from zero.

We did a lot of the hard work early, building…

— Connor Fitzgerald (@cnrfitz) July 27, 2026

The work required Stripe to form banking partnerships while satisfying regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions. Sponsor banks and payment network relationships are central to card issuance because they connect fintech programs to regulated banking rails, card network rules, compliance controls, and consumer or business spending infrastructure. The company built operational infrastructure before expanding internationally, and those efforts later supported stablecoin card programs in more than 100 markets.

During Fitzgerald’s tenure, Stripe introduced what the source described as the first stablecoin settlement flow in the United States. The program also increased annualized payment volume from zero to tens of millions of dollars. Stripe additionally expanded relationships with payment networks and financial institutions that support stablecoin-backed card issuance.

Bridge Expansion Adds to Stripe’s Global Payments Strategy

Stripe acquired Bridge for approximately $1.1 billion to strengthen its blockchain-based payments business. Since the acquisition, the company has expanded stablecoin products and regulated payment services across several regions. Bridge also added infrastructure designed to support blockchain-based cross-border settlement, an area where stablecoins are often positioned as a way to move value across borders without relying entirely on legacy correspondent banking routes.

Earlier this month, Bridge secured Markets in Crypto-Assets authorization and an Electronic Money Institution license in Luxembourg. The approvals allow Bridge to offer regulated services across all 27 European Union member states. They also enable businesses to issue euro-backed stablecoins and create virtual IBANs under one regulatory framework.

The licenses allow fintech companies to integrate cross-border euro accounts through a single connection. Enterprises can also move funds between subsidiaries using stablecoins instead of relying on correspondent banking networks. The approvals strengthen Stripe’s European payments infrastructure and simplify regional expansion for businesses using Bridge’s services.

Stripe Continues Stablecoin Expansion During Leadership Change

Stripe has continued expanding its stablecoin ecosystem despite Fitzgerald’s departure. Earlier this year, Visa expanded its partnership with Bridge to support stablecoin-backed card programs. The initiative targets availability in more than 100 countries before the end of 2026.

Fitzgerald indicated that his next venture will remain focused on blockchain-based financial infrastructure. He said his experience working with stablecoin companies influenced his view of the future of banking, but he did not disclose details about his next role or organization.

Stripe is also pursuing broader payments expansion beyond Bridge. Reports previously indicated that Stripe and Advent International submitted a proposal to acquire PayPal. Those discussions remain active, and if completed, the proposed transaction would combine PayPal’s digital payment products with Stripe’s growing stablecoin infrastructure.