Stripe Bridge
Accept crypto payments for your API and receive fiat settlements via Stripe. No wallet setup, no crypto knowledge needed.
Stripe Bridge connects the x402 crypto payment rail to Stripe's fiat settlement system. API providers receive payments in their local currency (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.) directly to their Stripe account, while buyers pay with USDC from their crypto wallet.
This gives API providers the best of both worlds: a global, permissionless buyer base paying in crypto, with automatic fiat payouts to a standard bank account.
How It Works
Buyer pays USDC
The buyer connects their crypto wallet and pays USDC on Solana or an EVM chain. This is a standard x402 payment - the buyer experience is identical.
RelAI settles
RelAI receives the USDC on-chain, then creates a Stripe Transfer from the platform account to the provider's Connected Account.
Provider gets fiat
The provider sees the payment in their Stripe dashboard. Stripe handles the payout to their bank account on the regular schedule.
Setup Guide
1. Connect your Stripe account
Go to Dashboard > Stripe and click Connect Stripe. This starts the Stripe Connect onboarding flow where you link your existing Stripe account (or create a new one).
RelAI uses Stripe Connect - the same system that powers marketplaces like Shopify, Uber, and Instacart. Your Stripe account remains fully under your control.
Charges enabled and Payouts enabled badges are green in your Stripe dashboard section.2. Create an API with Stripe Bridge
Create a new API using the standard flow at Dashboard > New API. In the Payment Settlement section, select Stripe Bridge as the settlement method.
When Stripe Bridge is selected:
- You do not need to provide a crypto wallet address - RelAI uses its own payment wallet
- Your Stripe Connected Account ID is automatically linked to the API
- Pricing is still set in USD - the buyer pays the equivalent in USDC
3. Publish your API
Submit your API for review and publish it. Your API appears on the marketplace with a Stripe badge. Buyers can discover and pay for it like any other x402 API.
Payment Flow (Technical)
Here is the complete flow from the buyer's payment to the provider's Stripe account:
Buyer sends HTTP request to the x402-protected API endpoint.
Server responds with HTTP 402 containing payment requirements (USDC amount, network, wallet address).
Buyer signs a USDC transfer to RelAI's payment wallet. The facilitator co-signs and submits the transaction on-chain, sponsoring gas fees.
The facilitator verifies the on-chain transaction. If valid, the API request is forwarded to the upstream server.
RelAI detects paymentMode=stripe and creates a Stripe Transfer from the platform account to the provider's Connected Account, minus the bridge fee.
Stripe handles the final payout from the provider's Connected Account to their bank account on the regular schedule.
Settlement Details
Settlement happens automatically after each successful x402 payment. The provider does not need to take any action.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
amount | The USDC amount paid by the buyer, converted to cents |
bridgeFee | Percentage retained by RelAI for the bridge service (default: 10%) |
providerAmount | Amount transferred to the provider's Stripe account (amount minus bridge fee) |
currency | Platform settlement currency (matches RelAI's Stripe balance currency) |
stripeTransferId | The Stripe Transfer ID for tracking in the Stripe dashboard |
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Gas fees (on-chain) | Sponsored | RelAI (via facilitator) |
| Bridge fee | 10% (configurable) | Deducted from payment |
| Stripe Connect fees | Standard Stripe rates | Provider (on payout) |
Example: A buyer pays $1.00 USDC. RelAI retains $0.10 (10% bridge fee) and transfers $0.90 to the provider's Stripe account.
FAQ
Do I need a crypto wallet to use Stripe Bridge?
No. As an API provider, you only need a Stripe account. RelAI handles all crypto operations. Your buyers pay with USDC and you receive fiat.
Which blockchains are supported?
Stripe Bridge works with any blockchain supported by RelAI for x402 payments, including Solana and EVM chains (Base, Polygon, Ethereum, Avalanche, SKALE).
How fast is settlement?
The Stripe transfer happens within seconds of the on-chain transaction confirming. The payout from Stripe to your bank follows Stripe's standard schedule (typically 2 business days).
Can I use Stripe Bridge with existing APIs?
Currently, payment mode is set at API creation time. To switch an existing API to Stripe Bridge, you would need to create a new API with the Stripe Bridge option selected.
What currency do I receive?
You receive payments in the currency of your Stripe account. Stripe handles currency conversion if needed.
Is there a minimum payment amount?
The minimum is determined by Stripe's transfer limits (typically $0.01 USD or equivalent). x402 micropayments work well with Stripe Bridge.
Ready to get started?
Connect your Stripe account and publish your first Stripe Bridge API in under 5 minutes.