Businesses powered by Stripe reported a monumental $1.9 trillion in total volume for 2025—marking a significant 34% increase from the previous year and illustrating Stripe’s growing impact on the economy. This figure is not just impressive on its own; it equates to roughly 1.6% of global GDP, underscoring the vital role Stripe plays for countless businesses worldwide.
The need for modern financial solutions is clearer than ever, and Stripe is poised to meet that demand. According to co-founders Patrick and John Collison, their platform now supports over 5 million businesses, ranging from tech giants to burgeoning startups. "Our programmable financial services now power more than 5 million businesses directly or via platforms," the Collisons stated. Notably, 90% of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and 80% of the Nasdaq 100 rely on Stripe for their payment processing needs.
Stripe’s full year highlights come amid an evolution in its offerings. The company’s Revenue suite, which includes tools such as Stripe Billing and Invoicing, is expected to reach an annual run rate of $1 billion this year. For small business owners, this represents a plethora of options to streamline payment processes, manage accounts, and optimize cash flow—all in one integrated package.
Quotes from industry partners further support the notion that Stripe has established itself as a leader in financial infrastructure. Kareem Zaki from Thrive Capital remarked, "After a decade of partnership and seeing their work up close, we believe Stripe has built the premiere financial infrastructure stack for the internet economy." This sentiment reflects the trust that top investors place in Stripe’s capabilities.
The remarkable performance of new businesses on Stripe this year deserves special attention. The 2025 cohort of startups has outperformed all previous groups, with a staggering 57% of new companies based outside the United States. Companies launched through Stripe Atlas have shown accelerated monetization, with 20% of startups earning their first customer within 30 days—up from 8% in 2020. For small business owners considering launching their ventures through Stripe, this trend underscores the platform’s value in facilitating rapid growth and early cash flow.
The shift towards global operations further enhances the opportunities available to entrepreneurs. "The domestic market for a new generation of internet businesses is the internet itself," the Collisons noted. This shift means that small businesses can reach diverse revenue streams internationally, effortlessly accessing new markets without the limitations traditionally associated with geographical boundaries.
Stripe is also at the forefront of developing tools for “agentic commerce,” a new paradigm that integrates artificial intelligence into commerce-related tasks. Stripe has aligned itself with various partners, including OpenAI, to establish an Agentic Commerce Protocol, allowing businesses to modernize their sales through AI interfaces. For small business owners, this represents a potential leap forward in optimizing interactions with customers and streamlining sales processes.
However, the road ahead is not without challenges. While the integration of stablecoins has gained traction, and Stripe has demonstrated robust growth, small business owners must remain vigilant about the implications of transitioning to these newer forms of currency. Philippe Laffont from Coatue Management highlighted Stripe’s essential role in the rising "token economy," but caution is warranted. Fluctuations in market conditions, regulatory changes, and customer perceptions could pose challenges to wide acceptance.
In 2025, the volume of stablecoin payments doubled, indicating a growing shift towards digital finance. Stripe’s acquisition of the stablecoin orchestration platform Bridge, along with plans to enhance payment options through new technologies and blockchain capabilities, positions the company as not just a service provider but a key player in the future of financial transactions.
The innovations also come with operational considerations for small businesses still working to understand digital currencies and stablecoins. As businesses integrate these technologies, ensuring customer understanding and trust will be crucial for successful adoption.
For small business owners, the implications of Stripe’s recent advances are multifaceted. They offer the promise of growth, heightened efficiency, and the ability to reach a global audience—all while navigating the evolving landscape of digital finance. Keeping abreast of these developments will aid businesses in leveraging new tools and ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.
More information on these developments can be found in Stripe’s full 2025 annual letter here.
