Stablecoins go tap-to-pay with Arx Research’s Burner Terminal

Stablecoins are getting equal billing with traditional finance on a new point-of-sale device. Arx Research’s Burner Terminal supports both native stablecoin taps and traditional EMV card swipes, offering merchants a single solution for both payment rails.

On Nov. 6, Arx Research announced the launch of Burner Terminal, a handheld point-of-sale device designed to make stablecoin transactions as seamless as credit card payments.

The terminal, set to debut at Devcon in Buenos Aires, introduces native tap-to-pay functionality for stablecoins such as USDC and USD II on Base. Transfers are subsidized to eliminate gas fees, and the company plans to expand support to additional assets and networks in 2026.

According to the announcement, the unit also includes optional EMV support for Visa and Mastercard, signaling Arx’s intent to position the product as a crossover solution for both crypto-native and traditional payment ecosystems.

Burner Terminal brings stablecoins to the checkout

Burner Terminal operates much like a modern card reader, but its underlying logic runs on blockchain rails. Merchants enter the sale amount, and customers can either tap their Burner wallet, scan a QR code, or use a traditional card.

For stablecoin payments, the terminal automatically processes a transfer from the buyer’s wallet to the merchant’s, with transactions sponsored to eliminate the need for gas tokens. Funds settle directly into the merchant’s onchain wallet, and an offramp option is available for those who prefer to move stablecoin proceeds into a linked bank account.

While the tap-to-pay feature promises a new level of convenience, its initial ecosystem will be limited. At launch, the Burner wallet will be the only one capable of utilizing the NFC tap function. However, in a move that could have broader industry implications, Arx has committed to opening up this tap-to-pay interface for any mobile or hardware wallet to integrate.

Scheduled to ship in early 2026, the sub-$200 terminal promises flexibility, featuring both WiFi and cellular connectivity and a built-in battery for true portability. It will be offered in variants with and without traditional EMV certification, allowing merchants to choose whether they need full card payment support alongside their crypto capabilities.