Stablecoin Payments Glossary
Payment Gateway
A payment gateway is the software interface through which a merchant or application sends and receives payment information to and from payment-processing infrastructure.
Explanation
For stablecoin payments, a gateway can generate addresses or payment requests, display token and network choices, return transaction status, and connect the merchant's checkout to a processor, wallet, exchange, or blockchain service. A gateway can be bundled with processing services, but the interface function remains conceptually separate from transaction execution and settlement.
Why it matters
Separating gateway and processing functions helps describe where checkout integration ends and where payment execution, risk management, and settlement begin.
Example
An e-commerce checkout can call a gateway API to request a USDC invoice and receive a payment address and status updates.
Related terms
Last reviewed: September 2026