MetaMask to Launch Wallet-Native mUSD Stablecoin in Partnership with M0 and Stripe's Bridge

MetaMask, the leading self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet developed by Consensys, has announced the upcoming launch of its native stablecoin, MetaMask USD ($mUSD). This initiative marks the first time a self-custodial wallet has introduced its own stablecoin, aiming to deeply integrate a dollar-pegged asset into its ecosystem. The stablecoin is set to debut later in 2025, initially on the Ethereum blockchain and Consensys's Layer-2 network, Linea.

The development of $mUSD is a collaborative effort, with the stablecoin being issued by Bridge, a subsidiary of payment giant Stripe, and powered by M0, a decentralized stablecoin infrastructure and liquidity platform. This partnership combines Bridge’s regulatory and reserve management expertise with M0’s blockchain infrastructure, designed for application-specific stablecoins. MetaMask stated that $mUSD will be fully backed 1:1 by high-quality, liquid dollar-equivalent assets, ensuring transparency.

Gal Eldar, Product Lead at MetaMask, emphasized the strategic importance of the new stablecoin, stating, > "MetaMask USD is a critical step in bringing the world on-chain." Eldar added that the integration will > "allow us to cut through some of the most stubborn barriers in web3 and reduce both friction and costs for people onboarding directly into a self-custodial wallet." The stablecoin is designed to facilitate seamless on-ramps, swaps, and cross-chain bridging within the MetaMask wallet.

The launch of $mUSD comes amid increased regulatory clarity in the United States, following the passage of the GENIUS Act, which established a federal framework for payment stablecoins. This legislative development is expected to encourage further innovation in the stablecoin sector. MetaMask also plans to enable real-world spending of $mUSD via the MetaMask Card at millions of Mastercard merchants worldwide, further bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance.

Zach Abrams, co-founder and CEO of Bridge, highlighted the efficiency of the partnership, noting that the time required to issue a custom stablecoin has been reduced from over a year to a matter of weeks. This collaboration positions MetaMask to enhance user experience by providing a unified, dollar-pegged stablecoin, streamlining transactions across decentralized applications and DeFi protocols. The company aims for $mUSD to play a foundational role in the growing Linea DeFi ecosystem.