Meta Commences USDC Creator Payout Trial on Solana and Polygon Platforms

(AsiaGameHub) –   Meta has launched a 2026 pilot program allowing chosen creators to receive their earnings in USDC, with payments processed via Solana and Polygon. The trial begins with eligible creators in Colombia and the Philippines—two markets where many online workers are paid in U.S. dollars and often face losses from bank fees or currency conversion.

Good to Know

• Meta is not introducing a new cryptocurrency. The pilot uses USDC, a dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Circle.
• Stripe powers the payment infrastructure after Meta solicited proposals from third-party providers in February 2026.
• Creators are responsible for managing their own wallets, private keys, tax records, and any conversion of USDC to local cash.

Meta Opts for USDC Over Developing Another In-House Cryptocurrency

Meta previously attempted to build its own crypto project. Libra launched in 2019, later rebranded to Diem, and was discontinued in 2022 following strong pushback from U.S. and European lawmakers.

Now, Meta has taken a more straightforward approach. Instead of issuing its own token, the company is using USDC. This choice gives Meta a familiar stablecoin payment rail and avoids the political controversy that led to Diem’s end.

Qualified creators will receive a notification in the Facebook app. From there, they can add a USDC wallet address in Meta’s payout settings—only Solana and Polygon are supported for the pilot.

Supported wallets include MetaMask, Phantom, Binance, Bybit, Kraken, Exodus, Brave Wallet, Bitso, GCash with GCrypto, and Coins.ph.

Stripe is the backbone of the payment process. The company became the main partner after acquiring stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge, providing Meta with a ready-made setup for crypto-based creator payouts.

The pilot aligns with a broader trend in payments. PayPal launched PYUSD in 2023, and Stripe reinstated crypto payouts that same year. In the U.S., progress tied to the GENIUS Act framework has also helped large companies feel more comfortable testing stablecoin payments.

Still, Meta keeps the setup limited. The company does not convert USDC to local currency. A creator wanting cash must send USDC to an exchange, sell it for fiat, and then withdraw funds to a bank account.

Meta also warns users about wallet mistakes. Crypto transfers cannot be reversed—funds sent to the wrong address or network may be lost permanently.

Taxes remain part of the normal payout process. Creators still receive regular Meta forms, including Form 1099 or 1042 when relevant. Since USDC counts as a digital asset payment, Stripe may also issue additional crypto tax documents. Creators need records from both sources.

Meta can switch a creator back to another payout method if technical issues affect the crypto option. The company does not custody wallets, so users bear full responsibility for wallet security and private keys.

With over 3 billion users across its apps, Meta has the reach to turn this small stablecoin test into a large payment channel if it expands USDC payouts later in 2026. For now, eligible creators should check Facebook payout settings, confirm wallet support, and review every address before connecting anything.