Meta pays Facebook creators in USDC four years after Libra collapsed

Meta has launched a USDC stablecoin payout program for select Facebook creators via Stripe, supporting payments on Solana and Polygon blockchains. This marks the tech giant's first cryptocurrency payment initiative since abandoning its Libra project four years ago, signaling renewed interest in blockchain-based creator monetization despite previous regulatory setbacks.

Meta's entry into crypto creator payments represents a pragmatic shift in corporate blockchain strategy. Rather than pursuing its own currency like Libra, the company now leverages established stablecoins and infrastructure partners, reducing regulatory friction while maintaining crypto exposure. This approach reflects lessons learned from Libra's 2020 collapse under congressional and central bank pressure, demonstrating how major platforms can re-engage with blockchain technology through third-party solutions.

The timing signals broader industry normalization. Four years elapsed between Libra's shutdown and this announcement, suggesting regulators and corporations have found workable frameworks for cryptocurrency integration. By partnering with Stripe and utilizing existing Layer-1 blockchains, Meta avoids creating proprietary currency concerns that triggered previous opposition.

For creators and developers, this creates meaningful optionality. Solana and Polygon supporters gain institutional-grade payment rails with Meta's scale, potentially accelerating stablecoin adoption in creator economies. Stripe's involvement legitimizes the program within traditional finance infrastructure, reducing conversion friction for creators seeking to monetize cryptocurrency earnings.

This development reflects Meta's strategic hedging. While maintaining distance from speculative crypto narratives, the company positions itself in blockchain infrastructure without betting the company on volatile assets. The selective creator rollout allows testing product-market fit before scaling. Industry observers should monitor whether adoption drives meaningful volume through these blockchains and whether Meta expands the program to other creators or platforms.

• →Meta launches USDC creator payments on Solana and Polygon, its first crypto payout program since Libra's 2020 shutdown
• →Partnership with Stripe reduces regulatory risk by leveraging established stablecoins instead of proprietary currency
• →Program enables creators to receive payments directly in blockchain-native assets, potentially accelerating stablecoin mainstream adoption
• →Selective rollout suggests Meta is testing product-market fit before scaling beyond early adopter creators
• →Initiative demonstrates how major tech platforms can re-engage blockchain infrastructure after previous regulatory setbacks