Meta unveils a surprising new way to pay creators in stablecoins

Digital dollars are now becoming an official payment option for creators on Meta's platforms. 

Mark Zuckerberg's platforms are going digital with their dollars. Meta has teamed up with payments giant Stripe to let creators get paid in USDC — a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar — directly through Facebook. 

The payments run on the Solana and Polygon blockchain networks, two of the faster, cheaper rails in the crypto world.

Related: Solana Policy Institute president says fight over stablecoin rules is about 'competition'

Starting small, thinking big

The program is initially rolling out to creators in the Philippines and Colombia.

To receive these digital payments, users must provide their third-party wallet address within the Facebook payout system. 

To convert your USDC into local cash, here are the simple steps suggested by Meta:

• Transfer to an exchange: Move your USDC from your digital wallet to a local cryptocurrency exchange. Ensure the platform you choose supports both USDC and withdrawals in your specific local currency.

• Trade for local currency: Use the exchange’s trading tools to swap your digital tokens for your national currency.

• Withdraw to your bank: Transfer the cash from the exchange directly to your bank account or chosen payment method. Be aware that most service providers charge a fee for these transactions.

It is important to note that Meta will not provide "off-ramp" services, which are the tools used to turn digital tokens back into local cash. Instead, the company suggests that creators use local cryptocurrency exchanges to handle their own conversions.

A major change in strategy

This launch represents a new direction for Meta. 

The company famously abandoned its own digital currency project, Libra (later called Diem), in 2022 after facing significant pressure from global regulators and lawmakers. 

While Meta recently stated it has no plans to build its own stablecoin, it is now choosing to integrate existing digital assets into its current infrastructure.

Everyone is jumping in

The broader tech industry is moving in a similar direction. Since the passage of the 2025 GENIUS Act, which set clear rules for dollar-backed tokens, companies like Apple, Google, X, and Airbnb have all explored digital asset technology. 

Under the Trump administration, the regulatory environment has become more favorable for these types of integrations. 

As part of this specific rollout, Meta is also utilizing Stripe to assist with crypto-related tax reporting for participating creators.

Related: Morgan Stanley moves to become stablecoin industry’s reserve bank