Stripe Acquires Team from Valora Wallet in Stablecoin Push

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Payments giant Stripe is growing its cryptocurrency capabilities by acqui-hiring the team behind the crypto startup Valora. This move signals a continued expansion of Stripe’s activities in the digital asset space.

Valora founder Jackie Bona announced on Wednesday that the team would join Stripe to further the mission of expanding access to financial systems globally. The specific terms of the deal, including the exact number of employees making the transition, were not publicly disclosed.

The Valora app, launched in 2021, was a mobile-first, self-custody wallet designed primarily for using stablecoins on the Celo blockchain. It emphasized user-friendly access to digital dollars and other assets.

Bona clarified that the acquisition appears focused on talent rather than technology. She stated that the Valora application itself “will continue to live on by returning to its original home at cLabs,” which will now oversee its future development and operations.

This talent acquisition builds upon Stripe’s strategic moves in the stablecoin sector, following its landmark $1.1 million acquisition of the startup Bridge in late October 2024. The company’s stablecoin unit is reportedly focused on providing comprehensive services spanning issuance, management, and custody.