After launching Libra in 2019, rebranding it to Diem, and selling its blockchain assets to Silvergate Bank in 2022, Meta has now embarked on a new venture. On April 29, the company announced that eligible creators can receive USDC payouts through compatible crypto wallets on Solana and Polygon, initially targeting selected creators in Colombia and the Philippines.
Meta is integrating creator payments into dollar-stable rails, an infrastructure developed over years by companies like Stripe and Circle. The rollout involves connecting a compatible wallet to Meta’s creator payout system for direct USDC receipt.
Goldman Sachs estimated the creator economy at around $250 billion in 2023, projecting it could reach $480 billion by 2027. This would encompass approximately 50 million creators earning through brand deals, platform ad revenue shares, subscriptions, tips, and direct payments, with about 70% of their income coming from brand deals.
A mere 10% of the creator economy’s payment flows represent significant figures: $25 billion annually (or roughly $2.1 billion monthly) in 2023, increasing to $48 billion annually ($4 billion per month) by 2027. These numbers suggest that even modest penetration rates could open a substantial market for stablecoin-based payments.
The pilot launched four years after Meta sold its Libra/Diem blockchain assets, coinciding with the broader context of stablecoins where payment-related flows were estimated at $390 billion in 2025 by BIS. This is distinct from total on-chain stablecoin volumes used primarily for trading and settlement.
Stripe has positioned stablecoin payouts as viable for creators, freelancers, and remote teams, providing USDC across networks like Solana and Polygon with global reach and compliance. These platforms promise rapid cross-border settlements in dollars, a significant advantage over traditional wire transfers.
Meta’s selection of Colombia and the Philippines is strategic: both have substantial creator economies but face challenges with cross-border payouts and show interest in dollar-denominated savings.
The use of stablecoin rails could effectively lead to digital dollarization of internet labor markets by moving more income onto dollar infrastructure. However, complexities like wallet management and off-ramp fees pose barriers to widespread adoption.
Looking ahead, the bull case envisions rapid advancements in wallet abstraction, making USDC payouts as seamless as Venmo transactions with affordable off-ramps. This could significantly increase stablecoin usage beyond trading.
Conversely, if wallet complexity remains an issue, Meta’s pilot may only appeal to crypto-savvy creators or those in high-friction markets.
Ultimately, the key to broader adoption lies in whether wallets become transparent in user experience. If they do, stablecoins could transform creator payouts and test their real-world viability beyond niche applications.