Tech giant Meta starts paying some creators in stablecoin with Stripe's support
TL;DR
Meta has begun paying select creators in stablecoin, specifically Circle's USDC, with support from Stripe. This service is currently available to creators in Colombia and the Philippines, marking Meta's return to crypto payments after previously halting its Libra project.
Key points
- Meta offers stablecoin payouts to creators
- Available in Colombia and the Philippines
- Payouts made in Circle's USDC token
- Supported by payments firm Stripe
- Meta returns to crypto payments after halting Libra project
Mentioned in this story
MetaStripeColombiaPhilippines
Meta (META), the social media giant behind Facebook and Instagram, has started to offer stablecoin payout to creators, signaling a return to crypto-powered payments years after shelving its Libra project.
The feature is currently available to a limited group of creators in Colombia and the Philippines, according to a Meta website. Eligible users can link a crypto wallet and receive payouts in Circle's USDC token on the Solana or Polygon blockchain networks.
The service is supported by payments firm Stripe, which will provide crypto-related reporting for users. Creators may receive tax documents from both Meta and Stripe tied to their earnings and digital asset transactions. A Stripe spokesperson confirmed the company's involvement.
The news comes after Meta sought the help of third-party vendors to administer stablecoin payments on its platforms, with Stripe among the leading contenders for the integration, CoinDesk reported in February.
The move puts Meta, with over 3 billion users across its social media platforms globally, among the largest tech firms experimenting with stablecoins for real-world payments, using blockchain rails to move money globally to users without relying on traditional banking systems. Stablecoins — cryptocurrencies whose prices are tied to fiat currencies — are increasingly viewed as a faster and cheaper payment method. Visa, for example, reported that it's stablecoin settlement network hit $7 billion in annualized transaction volume, growing 50% in a quarter.
The initiative marks Meta's return to stablecoins after it attempted to introduce the Libra token, later renamed Diem, only to shut down the project amid regulatory scrutiny in 2022.
Read more: [Stripe doubles down on blockchain and stablecoins, aiming to become 'AWS for money'](/Stripe doubles down on blockchain and stablecoins, aiming to become 'AWS for money')
Q&A
Which countries are eligible for Meta's stablecoin payouts?
Meta's stablecoin payouts are currently available to creators in Colombia and the Philippines.
What stablecoin is Meta using for creator payouts?
Meta is using Circle's USDC token for payouts to creators.
How is Stripe involved in Meta's stablecoin payment system?
Stripe supports Meta's stablecoin payments by providing crypto-related reporting and facilitating the integration of the payment system.
