YouTube Opens the Door to Stablecoin Payments for US Creators
YouTube has introduced a new payout option that allows US-based creators to receive their earnings in PayPal’s dollar-backed stablecoin, PYUSD. The update expands PayPal’s earlier move to let payment recipients convert incoming funds into the stablecoin instead of traditional cash balances.
A Google spokesperson confirmed that PYUSD payouts are now supported, while PayPal’s crypto chief, May Zabaneh, noted that the feature is fully live for US creators. The integration uses PayPal’s existing mass-payout system, meaning YouTube still processes payments in fiat while PayPal converts eligible payouts into PYUSD for creators who opt in.
The change reflects a broader shift among major tech companies toward stablecoins and tokenized money. PayPal launched PYUSD in 2023 and has since pushed it across its ecosystem—from PayPal and Venmo wallets to merchant payments and business settlements. The token now holds a market value near $4B.
The move also comes amid heightened interest in crypto infrastructure across Silicon Valley and follows new US federal regulations on stablecoins, signed under President Donald Trump. Corporate adoption has accelerated as well, including Stripe’s $1.1B acquisition of stablecoin firm Bridge earlier this year.
For creators, the update offers a new alternative to traditional bank payouts, one that could appeal to users who prefer holding or transacting in digital dollars. It also expands PYUSD’s reach to millions of potential new users without requiring YouTube to overhaul its payment architecture.
Google has previously accepted PYUSD payments for select Google Cloud customers, signaling a growing willingness to experiment with on-chain settlement where it fits existing systems.
As YouTube steps further into crypto rails, stablecoin payouts could become an increasingly influential part of the creator economy’s financial future.