YouTube Enables PYUSD Stablecoin Payouts for U.S. Creators Through PayPal

Stablecoin payouts arrive quietly as YouTube expands creator payment options via PayPal’s blockchain rails

TL;DR

• YouTube now allows eligible U.S. creators to receive payouts in PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin.
• The feature relies entirely on PayPal’s infrastructure, with YouTube avoiding direct crypto custody.
• The move signals growing institutional comfort with stablecoins as payment rails, not speculative assets.

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YouTube has begun allowing U.S.-based creators to receive earnings in PayPal’s U.S. dollar–backed stablecoin, PYUSD, introducing one of the most mainstream uses of stablecoins in the global creator economy to date. The option, which became available in December 2025, enables eligible creators enrolled in the YouTube Partner Program to convert their platform payouts into PYUSD through PayPal, the platform’s long-standing payments partner. The rollout was confirmed by PayPal executives and Google representatives and reflects a deliberate effort to integrate blockchain-based settlement without forcing creators—or YouTube itself—to interact directly with cryptocurrency infrastructure.

Creators who opt into the feature continue to earn revenue in the same way they always have, including from advertising, channel memberships, and other monetization streams. Funds are first transferred from YouTube to PayPal in fiat currency, after which PayPal converts the balance into PYUSD for creators who choose the stablecoin option. From the creator’s perspective, the process is handled within existing PayPal and YouTube Studio payout settings, with no requirement to manage wallets, private keys, or on-chain transactions manually. PayPal handles issuance, custody, and settlement, effectively acting as the sole crypto-facing entity in the flow.

PayPal’s head of crypto, May Zabaneh, described the structure as intentionally designed to remove friction for large platforms. She noted that YouTube does not need to touch crypto at any stage of the process, allowing creators to benefit from stablecoin settlement while YouTube avoids the compliance, custody, and operational complexities typically associated with digital assets. The approach underscores a broader pattern in institutional adoption, where companies leverage regulated intermediaries rather than building crypto infrastructure internally.

The stablecoin used for the payouts, PYUSD, was launched by PayPal in 2023 and is issued by Paxos, with reserves fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits and short-term Treasuries. Since its introduction, PYUSD has expanded beyond peer-to-peer transfers into merchant payments, enterprise settlement, and now creator payouts. By late 2025, the token’s circulating supply had grown to roughly $3.9 billion, up sharply from early adoption levels closer to $500 million, reflecting increased use by fintech platforms and corporate partners rather than retail speculation.

Eligibility for the YouTube PYUSD payout option is currently limited to creators based in the United States, and YouTube has not announced a timeline for international expansion. Only creators who already receive payments via PayPal can opt in, reinforcing that the feature is an extension of existing payout infrastructure rather than a standalone crypto initiative. YouTube has also made clear that the option is voluntary, with creators able to continue receiving traditional fiat payouts if they prefer.

The decision to integrate stablecoins through PayPal comes amid a shifting regulatory landscape in the United States, where clearer federal frameworks for dollar-backed stablecoins have reduced uncertainty for large platforms. Rather than embracing volatile cryptocurrencies, YouTube’s move reflects a preference for instruments designed for price stability and payments, aligning with broader trends across finance and technology. Stablecoins, once seen primarily as trading tools within crypto markets, are increasingly being positioned as neutral settlement layers for everyday economic activity.

For the creator economy, the development introduces a new form of payout optionality without altering the fundamental monetization model. Creators who choose PYUSD gain access to faster settlement and on-chain transferability while remaining within a familiar PayPal environment. For YouTube, the integration signals a cautious but meaningful step into blockchain-enabled payments, executed in a way that prioritizes operational continuity and regulatory clarity over experimentation.

This article has been refined and enhanced by ChatGPT.