Base Enables Australia's First AUD Stablecoin Retail Payment, Settles in Seconds

According to @jessepollak, Base facilitated Australia's first retail transaction using an Australian dollar-backed stablecoin on May 26, with the payment settling on the blockchain in seconds. The transaction took place in Sydney, where a customer used tap-to-pay to purchase lunch at a Malaysian takeaway outlet.

The merchant received funds directly through the blockchain network and retained the flexibility to hold the stablecoin or convert it to Australian dollars instantly, while avoiding standard Visa processing fees. The transaction demonstrated how blockchain infrastructure could support real-time retail payments with reduced costs and minimal reliance on traditional payment intermediaries.