After considering launching a stablecoin of its own, Meta is opting to leverage established digital asset infrastructure to enable stablecoin payouts.
Through a partnership with Stripe, Meta will now offer some creators the option to receive payouts in Circle’s USDC. These payments can be received through most crypto wallets, including MetaMask, Phantom, and Binance, across the Solana or Polygon blockchains.
“This is big news—they’re turning stablecoins into a payout mechanism at massive scale,” said Joel Hugentobler, Cryptocurrency Analyst at Javelin Strategy & Research. “Creators can now get paid directly into wallets on various blockchains and bypass cross-border delays and fees. This is a big deal because Meta and Facebook have such a massive client base, and USDC and Stripe matter here because they offer enterprise-grade, compliant, and low-risk options.”
Shifting Toward Infrastructure
Meta’s shift away from issuing a proprietary stablecoin is also notable. Years ago, the company explored a branded stablecoin initiative called Libra, later renamed Diem. However, the project faced regulatory and funding challenges and was subsequently shelved.
Following the passage of the GENIUS Act last year, a growing number of companies have announced plans to issue stablecoins—the latest being Western Union. After Meta unveiled its renewed interest in stablecoin-related payments, there was speculation that the company—whose platforms include Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp and collectively reach roughly 3 billion users—might revive plans for its own token.
All About Distribution
Launching a propriety stablecoin could dramatically reduce the fees Meta pays to third-party issuers and intermediaries, but remaining on the sidelines of issuance may come with its own costs.
By adding stablecoin support, even through partner infrastructure, Meta could further embed itself in the surging social commerce space, while also positioning itself as a potential competitor in financial services over time.
For example, WhatsApp is already widely used for cross-border payments and remittances. Introducing stablecoin functionality could materially reduce transaction and currency conversion fees for users.
“All of this is about distribution,” Hugentobler said. “In a sense, they’re testing whether stablecoins can power global payroll across its platform with billions of users. If they can prove this out, it will put pressure on banks and traditional payment providers in the areas it is executing on: cross-border payments, payouts, remittances, and even FX.”