Mercuryo and Tangem Launch Zero-Fee USDC On-Ramp for Stellar Users

Mercuryo and Tangem have launched a zero-fee on-ramp for USDC on the Stellar network, targeting users outside the US, UK, and EEA. For fintech professionals, this move highlights the intensifying competition to lower entry barriers for stablecoin acquisition within self-custodial environments, bypassing traditional exchange fees to capture direct-to-wallet transaction volume.

What was announced

The partnership introduces a limited-time promotion allowing Tangem hardware wallet users to purchase USD Coin (USDC) via the Stellar network without incurring service fees from either Mercuryo or Tangem. The initiative is designed to streamline the acquisition of dollar-backed stablecoins, supporting payments through credit and debit cards, as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

To qualify for the zero-fee offer, transactions must meet a minimum threshold of $150 or €150, with a maximum cap set at $700 or €700 per individual on-ramp transaction. While the service fees are waived, standard network transaction fees on the Stellar blockchain still apply. Furthermore, the technical requirements of the Stellar network necessitate that users maintain a balance of Stellar (XLM) to facilitate the transaction. To address this, the campaign also includes zero-fee top-ups for XLM, typically ranging between €10 and €50.

Geographically, the offer is restricted. It is not available to residents in the United Kingdom, the United States, or the European Economic Area (EEA). This targeted rollout focuses on selected local currencies in other regions, emphasizing the push for stablecoin utility in emerging or non-EEA markets where digital dollar access may be a priority for self-custody users.

"The campaign gives users a simple way to buy USDC directly into a self-custodial wallet, so they control their assets from the moment of purchase," said Stanislav Bublik, Head of Investment Products at Tangem. "At the same time, they are acquiring a fully reserved, dollar-backed stablecoin with zero fees."

Stanislav Bublik, Head of Investment Products at Tangem.

The companies involved

Mercuryo operates as a global payments infrastructure platform specifically tailored for the Web3 ecosystem. The company provides a suite of payment solutions designed to bridge the gap between traditional fiat currencies and on-chain assets, with a strategic focus on optimizing capital flow within Decentralized Finance (DeFi). By integrating various payment rails into a single interface, Mercuryo has positioned itself as a key middleware provider for wallets and dApps looking to simplify the user onboarding experience.

Tangem is a specialist in the self-custodial hardware wallet sector, known for its card-shaped security devices that eliminate the need for traditional seed phrases through NFC technology. Based in Switzerland, Tangem has been expanding its physical retail presence, recently making inroads into the Middle Eastern market. The company’s hardware is designed to provide a high level of security for digital assets while maintaining a form factor familiar to traditional banking customers. Together, these companies represent the intersection of hardware security and fintech-driven liquidity, aiming to make the transition from fiat to crypto as frictionless as possible for the end user.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed Mercuryo’s growth, noting its significant impact on the stablecoin market. Earlier this year, we reported that Stablecoins Dominate Crypto Purchases as Mercuryo Reports 60% Share in H1 2026, a trend further emphasized by the fact that Stablecoins Hit 60% of Mercuryo Purchase Volume as B2B Adoption Surges. The company has also focused heavily on the user experience, with reports showing Mercuryo Boosts Crypto Purchase Conversion by 75% Following UX Overhaul. Meanwhile, Tangem’s market expansion was highlighted when ADI Chain and Tangem Debut Co-Branded Hardware Wallets at Virgin Megastores UAE, marking a significant retail push for the hardware provider.

What this means

This move signals a broader industry shift where infrastructure providers are willing to sacrifice short-term fee revenue to secure long-term user loyalty in the self-custody space. By waiving fees for USDC on Stellar, Mercuryo and Tangem are directly challenging centralized exchanges that traditionally dominate the on-ramp market. The exclusion of the US, UK, and EEA suggests that regulatory hurdles in these regions continue to dictate where fintechs can aggressively market zero-fee crypto services. For the wider sector, the pressure is now on other wallet providers to match these low-friction entry points or risk losing the growing demographic of users who prioritize immediate asset control.