YouTube Launches Content Creator Payouts in PayPal's Stablecoin

RBK-cryptoPublished on 2025-12-12Last updated on 2025-12-12

Abstract

YouTube has introduced the option for US-based content creators to receive payments in PayPal's stablecoin PYUSD, according to Fortune. The feature is already operational and integrated into PayPal's existing mass payout service, which YouTube uses to pay its freelance creators. A PayPal executive highlighted that YouTube itself does not handle the crypto, with PayPal managing all technical complexities. PYUSD is the fifth-largest stablecoin, with its market cap surging from $490 million to $4 billion over the past year. It is catching up to Ethena's USDe but remains far behind market leaders Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC. This move is part of a broader trend where stablecoin issuers and payment companies are partnering with media platforms to expand their user base. For instance, Tether is advancing through a partnership with Rumble, a YouTube competitor, which is testing an integrated crypto wallet. Separately, Visa is piloting a program for stablecoin payouts to freelancers and content creators. In related news, the Trump-affiliated World Liberty Financial's stablecoin USD1 is expanding through a partnership with Binance. The exchange has added zero-fee trading pairs for USD1 and will convert all collateral for its own BUSD stablecoin to USD1 at a 1:1 ratio.

YouTube has provided US-based video creators with the ability to receive payments in PayPal's PYUSD stablecoin, Fortune was told by Mei Zabaneh, head of PayPal's cryptocurrency division. The feature is already operational and available within PayPal's existing mass payout service, which YouTube uses to settle payments with freelance performers and partners.

"The beauty is that YouTube itself does not interact with cryptocurrency, and we handle all the technical complexities," Zabaneh explained.

PYUSD is the fifth-largest stablecoin. Its market capitalization has increased 8-fold over the year, from $490 million to $4 billion, according to CoinGecko. PayPal's stable token is catching up to Ethena's USDe ($6.5 billion), but both are significantly behind the market leaders: Tether's USDT ($186 billion) and Circle's USDC ($78.5 billion).

Other stablecoin issuers and payment companies are also trying to expand their user base through similar partnerships with media platforms. For example, Tether is promoting itself through Rumble, YouTube's main competitor. The service is testing the integrated Rumble Wallet, the launch of which for everyone is scheduled for the end of this year.

In November, it became known that Visa is testing stablecoin payouts for content creators and freelancers. The pilot project allows companies to send payments directly to users' crypto wallets. Recipients can choose stablecoins, for example, USDC.

The USD1 stablecoin from the Trump family-linked crypto project World Liberty Financial is developing through a partnership with the largest crypto exchange, Binance. On Thursday, December 11th, World Liberty announced that the exchange had expanded support for USD1, adding zero-fee trading pairs for it with leading cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Solana, and BNB.

The exchange will also convert all collateral assets backing its BUSD stablecoin to USD1 at a 1:1 ratio over the course of a week. Binance stated that this will make USD1 "an integral part of Binance's updated collateral structure, further strengthening the stablecoin's position in the exchange's ecosystem."

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Related Questions

QWhat new payment option has YouTube introduced for US-based content creators?

AYouTube has introduced the option for US-based content creators to receive payments in PayPal's PYUSD stablecoin.

QWhich company's existing mass payout service is YouTube using to facilitate these stablecoin payments?

AYouTube is using PayPal's existing mass payout service to facilitate the PYUSD payments.

QAccording to the article, what is the two largest stablecoins by market capitalization and who issues them?

AThe two largest stablecoins are USDT from Tether ($186 billion) and USDC from Circle ($78.5 billion).

QName one other media platform that is partnering with a stablecoin issuer, as mentioned in the article.

ARumble, a major competitor to YouTube, is partnering with Tether and is testing an integrated Rumble Wallet.

QWhat other major payment company is testing stablecoin payouts for content creators and freelancers?

AVisa is testing stablecoin payouts, allowing companies to send payments directly to users' crypto wallets, with options like USDC.

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