Elon Musk’s X has begun exploring USDC and other stablecoins as possible payment methods for creators while preparing to replace its existing revenue-sharing system.
Summary
- X is discussing stablecoin payouts but has not selected a token or confirmed a launch.
- Circle’s USDC is among the payment options being considered for creator rewards.
- Original Content Rewards will replace X’s Revenue Sharing program on Sept. 8.
- U.S. stablecoin payments will operate under rules created by the GENIUS Act.
X considers USDC for creator rewards
CoinDesk reported on Thursday that X is discussing whether to pay creators and other content providers with stablecoins, citing a person familiar with the plans.
Circle Internet Group’s USDC is one of the digital tokens under consideration, although X has not chosen a payment method or disclosed when it could introduce stablecoin payouts. Talks remain active, according to the source, who also works with other social media companies testing stablecoins for influencer commissions.
X did not respond to CoinDesk’s request for comment, leaving the possible payment structure, supported countries and blockchain networks unconfirmed. The report also did not state whether creators would receive stablecoins by default or select them as an alternative to bank payments.
A stablecoin option could allow X to use one dollar-linked asset for creators in several countries, rather than arranging separate transfers through each local banking system. Any practical benefit would still depend on the networks, wallets, conversion services and withdrawal rules selected by the company.
USDC is designed to maintain a one-to-one value with the U.S. dollar and can move across several public blockchains. Circle says the token is issued through its regulated affiliates and backed by reserves intended to support redemption at its stated value.
The reported discussions come as the combined stablecoin market has exceeded $300 billion. While digital dollars remain widely used for crypto trading and settlement, payment companies and online platforms have also begun testing them for contractor, customer and creator payouts.
Original Content Rewards changes how X pays users
Alongside the stablecoin talks, X is preparing to end its Revenue Sharing program and replace it with Original Content Rewards on Sept. 8. The current system will continue through Sept. 7, according to the company’s published schedule.
X said the replacement program is designed to “reward creators who bring original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity, and commentary to X.”
Under the announced eligibility rules, creators must have at least 500 verified followers and record at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users during the previous 90 days. Users must also meet the platform’s other monetization requirements.
Payments will be based on qualified impressions from Premium subscribers viewing eligible original posts in the Home Timeline. X defines a qualified impression as a unique view in which at least half of the post appears on screen.
Eligible material can include original reporting and analysis, user-produced videos and photographs, graphics, illustrations, memes and meaningful commentary. Reposted work, copied material and posts designed mainly to manipulate engagement are not meant to qualify under the revised system.
The company has not said whether stablecoin payments, if adopted, would arrive with the Sept. 8 rewards launch or be added later. No details have been released about wallet support, conversion fees, custody arrangements or how creators could recover funds sent to an incorrect address.
Stablecoin transfers can differ from conventional payouts because blockchain transactions are generally irreversible after confirmation. A platform offering the option would therefore need to decide how it verifies wallets, handles failed transfers and assists creators who lose access to their accounts.
X Money has already added U.S. payment services
X’s interest in stablecoins follows the introduction of financial services inside its main social platform. In July, the company launched X Money for Premium and Premium+ subscribers in the United States, offering deposit accounts, instant transfers and a Visa debit card.
X Money allows eligible users to send funds to other X accounts without transfer fees. Its deposit accounts advertise annual yields of up to 6%, while qualifying purchases made with the X Card can earn 3% cashback.
Cross River Bank provides the banking infrastructure behind the service and holds customer deposits. Funds held directly by the bank can receive Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation protection of up to $250,000, while an optional sweep arrangement can distribute deposits among participating banks and provide eligible users with up to $10 million in aggregate pass-through coverage.
X Payments itself is not a bank or an FDIC-insured institution. The company also had not announced support for Bitcoin, Dogecoin or any stablecoin when it introduced X Money, making the reported creator-payment talks a separate potential use of digital assets.
Crypto experience entered X’s senior product team before the payment rollout. In March, the company appointed Benji Taylor as head of design after he held product and design positions at Aave, Avara and Coinbase’s Base network.
Taylor’s background includes work on crypto wallets, decentralized finance products and consumer applications. His personal website also lists roles connected to xAI and SpaceX, although X has not linked his appointment to the reported USDC discussions.
Musk has previously described payments as one part of his plan to turn X into an application combining social media and financial services. The company’s current U.S. rollout relies on established banking and card infrastructure, while stablecoin payouts would introduce blockchain settlement into at least one part of its creator business.
U.S. stablecoin rules would shape any X rollout
For American users, a USDC payment option would fall within a developing federal framework established by the GENIUS Act. President Donald Trump signed the law in July 2025, creating national rules for payment stablecoin issuers and certain companies that distribute their tokens.
The law requires permitted issuers to maintain one-to-one reserves in approved liquid assets, provide regular disclosures and meet redemption and compliance requirements. Most provisions are expected to take effect on Jan. 18, 2027, unless final implementing rules activate them earlier.
On Aug. 17, the U.S. Treasury Department proposed new rules defining when a payment stablecoin is issued, offered or sold in the United States. The definitions would help determine when an issuer needs a federal or state license and when a digital asset service provider becomes subject to restrictions covering U.S. customers.
Treasury opened the proposal for public comment for 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register. The agency is also addressing how U.S. platforms may offer foreign-issued stablecoins once the law’s distribution restrictions begin.
Circle’s status as a U.S.-based issuer could make USDC relevant to companies seeking dollar-denominated blockchain payments under the new framework. Circle has not publicly confirmed that it is working with X, and the report did not identify the other stablecoins under review.
Creator payouts would also remain taxable income for U.S. recipients regardless of whether X pays them through a bank transfer or a dollar-linked token. The Internal Revenue Service requires taxpayers to report income received in digital assets at its fair market value when received, while later disposals can create separate gains or losses if the asset’s value changes.
Another social media company has already tested a comparable model outside the United States. In April, Meta introduced USDC payouts for selected creators in Colombia and the Philippines, using wallets on Solana and Polygon.
Stripe processes Meta’s stablecoin payments and may provide users with crypto-related tax documents tied to the transactions. Meta’s support page says eligible creators can link a compatible wallet, receive USDC and convert the tokens into local currency through supported services where available.
