Connor Fitzgerald, who led global stablecoin partnerships at Bridge following its acquisition by payment technology firm Stripe, has left the company. Fitzgerald’s departure comes as Bridge continues to scale its stablecoin services, which now reach over 100 international markets.
Stablecoin partnership growth and executive exit
Bridge, a platform acquired by Stripe for approximately $1.1 billion, focuses on implementing blockchain-powered payment solutions for businesses worldwide. Fitzgerald joined shortly after Stripe’s acquisition, taking on a pivotal role in establishing relationships with sponsor banks and payment networks critical for enabling global stablecoin card programs.
His tenure included overseeing the launch of the first stablecoin settlement solution for American users, allowing annualized transaction volumes to reach tens of millions of dollars. Under his guidance, Bridge expanded its banking partnerships and broadened the network for stablecoin-powered cards, supporting international payments with digital assets pegged to traditional currencies.
Throughout his term, Fitzgerald stated that building the global card program from scratch required significant groundwork, particularly in collaborating closely with sponsor banks and payment processors. He noted that these efforts laid the foundation for today’s extensive market presence.
Fitzgerald announced his exit via social media, reflecting on his involvement “building the global card program from zero” and highlighting how the team completed much of the difficult foundational work in the early stages.
Regulatory expansion in Europe
Bridge recently received Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) compliance and an Electronic Money Institution license in Luxembourg, meeting requirements to operate across all 27 European Union member states. This regulatory clearance permits the launch of euro-backed stablecoins and creation of virtual IBAN accounts under a unified oversight regime.
These licenses allow clients to integrate cross-border euro banking seamlessly and move capital efficiently between corporate entities using stablecoins rather than relying on traditional correspondent banking.
Mini dictionary: MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets), is a European Union regulatory framework intended to govern crypto-asset markets, ensuring legal clarity, consumer protection, and regulatory consistency across all EU member states.
Commercial teams are expected to benefit from consolidated payment networks and enhanced international transfer capabilities, reinforcing Bridge’s role as a payment facilitator in both digital and fiat environments.
| Market | Number of Supported Countries | Regulatory License |
|---|---|---|
| Global | 100+ | Multiple territories |
| European Union | 27 | MiCA, EMI Luxembourg |
Strategic growth and partnerships
Stripe has continued to expand stablecoin programs and functionalities after Fitzgerald’s exit. In early 2026, Visa deepened its partnership with Bridge, targeting stablecoin card launches in more than 100 countries by the end of the year. Visa, as one of the world’s leading payment networks, has moved to increase adoption of crypto technologies in its global portfolio.
Bridge’s ongoing collaboration with major payment and banking institutions is expected to accelerate access to digital currency payment methods for businesses and consumers. The company also remains active in the acquisition landscape, with speculation of a potential merger with PayPal, which would combine digital asset expertise with extensive electronic payment networks.
Fitzgerald shared that his next venture will remain in the blockchain payments landscape, noting the significant influence his previous work has had on his future plans in digital finance and banking transformation.
Despite leadership changes, Stripe and Bridge continue their expansion of stablecoin-based solutions, signaling growing adoption and regulatory progress in major global financial markets.
