Sera vs Bridge: How they actually compare
Sera and Bridge solve adjacent problems. Bridge is a custodial stablecoin orchestration platform — you send fiat or stablecoins to Bridge, they hold custody, issue or convert, and pay out. Sera is a non-custodial FX settlement protocol — your existing platform keeps custody and KYC, and uses Sera only for the on-chain currency conversion step. Bridge is faster to integrate end-to-end. Sera is cheaper per transaction and lets you earn the FX spread yourself instead of paying it to a platform.
Sera vs Bridge, side by side
| Sera | Bridge (Stripe-owned) | |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement model | Non-custodial protocol | Custodial PSP |
| Custody | You / your users keep custody | Bridge holds custody |
| Protocol / platform fee | 0 bps | Not publicly disclosed; typically 50–200 bps |
| FX spread captured by | Liquidity provider (can be you) | Bridge |
| Corridor coverage | 120+ currencies, 600+ stablecoins, 30,000+ pair combinations | Stablecoin issuance + fiat on/off-ramp in US, EU, LatAm |
| Integration surface | Smart contract + MCP for agents | REST API |
| Time to settle | Sub-300ms median (on-chain) | Minutes (custodial routing) |
| Stablecoin issuance | No (settlement only) | Yes (US Treasury-backed) |
| Card issuance | No | Yes (with Stripe Issuing) |
| KYC / compliance | Owned by integrator | Owned by Bridge |
| Best for | Payment platforms, FX-heavy fintechs, treasury teams | Teams wanting one API for issuance + payouts |
| Ownership | Independent protocol | Acquired by Stripe (2025) |
When to choose Sera
- You already have custody, KYC, and on/off-ramp solved — you just need the FX conversion step on-chain.
- Your cross-border volume is high enough that capturing the FX spread yourself materially improves unit economics.
- You settle between non-USD stablecoin pairs (e.g. EURC→BRLA, XSGD→IDR) and want to avoid routing through USD twice.
- You need AI agents that transact across currencies via the Sera MCP.
When to choose Bridge
- You want one vendor for stablecoin issuance, custody, on/off-ramp, and card programs.
- You'd rather not own KYC or regulatory complexity in-house.
- You're issuing your own branded stablecoin and need infrastructure for that.
- Your timeline is this quarter and you prefer REST APIs to smart contracts.
Pricing, side by side
Illustrative: $10,000 USD → MXN settlement.
| Sera | Bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | $0 | Not public; reference 50–200 bps = $50–$200 |
| FX spread | $5–$40 (5–40 bps, paid to LP — can be you) | Included in quoted rate; captured by Bridge |
| Gas | $0.01–$0.50 (L2) | Abstracted |
| Effective total cost | $5–$40 | ~$50–$200+ |
Integrating Sera
Sera is settlement-layer infrastructure. You call a settlement contract or hit the MCP, quote the conversion, sign, and execute. You retain custody and the user experience.
Integrating Bridge
Bridge is full-stack stablecoin orchestration. You send funds to a Bridge-controlled account, and Bridge handles conversion and payout. You delegate custody and operational responsibility in exchange for one API surface.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Sera a Bridge alternative?
- For the FX settlement step, yes. For end-to-end stablecoin orchestration (issuance + custody + on/off-ramp + card), no — Sera deliberately doesn't compete on those. Many fintechs use Sera as the FX layer while keeping Bridge or another PSP for other functions.
- Can I use both Sera and Bridge?
- Yes. Bridge can handle the fiat ↔ stablecoin step; Sera handles the stablecoin ↔ stablecoin FX step. Some teams use Bridge for USD on-ramp and Sera for routing into local-currency stablecoins.
- Why is Sera cheaper?
- Sera is a protocol, not a platform. It takes no fee. The FX spread accrues to whoever provides liquidity — if you LP your own treasury, you capture the spread; if you don't, you still avoid the platform fee.
- How does Sera handle compliance if it's non-custodial?
- Compliance sits with the integrator (typically a licensed PSP or fintech). Sera publishes its compliance posture at sera.cx/compliance. The protocol is audited by CertiK and formally specified in TLA+.
- What about Bridge's Stripe acquisition?
- Bridge was acquired by Stripe and now integrates tightly with Stripe Issuing for stablecoin-backed cards. That makes Bridge a stronger fit if you're already in the Stripe ecosystem, and a weaker fit if you need vendor independence or want to capture FX-spread economics yourself.
Use Sera as your FX settlement layer
Keep custody and KYC where they are. Plug Sera in for the on-chain currency conversion and capture the FX spread on your own flow.