X Consider using USDC to pay creator rewards

Musk's X platform plans to use stable coins such as USDC to pay creators, and updates the revenue sharing mechanism

Summary

The X platform is exploring using stable coins to make creator payments, but no specific token has been selected or the launch time has been confirmed. The USDC released by Circle is one of the creator reward payment options. The original content reward program will replace the existing revenue sharing system on September 8. stablecoin payments in the U.S. will follow the rules established by the GENIUS Act.

X platform considers using USDC for creator rewards

According to people familiar with the matter, X platform is discussing whether to use stablecoins to pay creators and other content providers. The USDC issued by Circle Internet Group is one of the digital tokens being considered, but X has not yet selected a payment method and has not disclosed when stablecoin payments may be introduced. Discussions are still actively underway, according to sources who also work with other social media companies that are testing stablecoins for Internet celebrity commissions.

The X platform did not respond to requests for comment, so possible payment structures, supported countries and blockchain networks have not yet been confirmed. The report also did not say whether the creators would accept stablecoins by default or use them as an alternative to bank transfers.

Introducing a stablecoin payment option allows X platform to use the same dollar-linked asset to pay creators in multiple countries/regions without having to arrange transfers separately through local banking systems. The actual effect still depends on the network, wallet, redemption service and withdrawal rules selected by the company.

The USDC aims to maintain a 1:1 exchange ratio with the U.S. dollar and can flow on multiple public blockchains. Circle said the token was issued through its regulated subsidiaries and backed by reserve assets to ensure redemption at face value.

The above discussion comes at a time when the total market value of stablecoins exceeds US$300 billion. Although digital dollars are still widely used in cryptocurrency transactions and settlements, payment companies and online platforms are also beginning to try to use it for payments to contractors, customers and creators.

Original content reward plan changes user payment methods on X platform

While discussing stablecoins, X platform is preparing to end the existing revenue sharing plan on September 8 and replace it with an "Original Content Reward" plan. According to the company's announced timetable, the existing system will last until September 7.

Platform X said the new program aims to "reward creators who bring original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity and commentary to Platform X."

According to published eligibility rules, creators must have at least 500 verified fans and have received at least 500,000 home timeline impressions from verified users in the past 90 days. Users also need to meet other monetization requirements of the platform.

Compensation will be calculated based on the number of qualified impressions premium subscribers view qualified original posts in the home timeline. Platform X defines qualified display as the unique number of views of a post where at least half of its content is displayed on the screen.

Eligible material includes original reporting and analysis, user-generated videos and photos, graphics, illustrations, glyphs, and meaningful reviews. Reprinting works, copying content, and posts mainly aimed at manipulating the amount of interaction do not meet the requirements of the new system.

The company has not yet stated whether payments using stablecoins will be launched along with the reward plan on September 8 or added later. Details about wallet support, redemption fees, custody arrangements, and how creators can retrieve funds sent to the wrong address were not released.

stablecoin transfers are different from traditional payments because blockchain transactions are usually irreversible after confirmation. Therefore, platforms that offer this option need to decide how to verify wallets, handle failed transfers, and help creators who cannot access accounts.

X Money has launched a payment service in the United States

The X platform's interest in stablecoins stems from its launch of financial services within its social platforms. In July, the company launched X Money for premium and premium + subscribers in the United States, offering deposit accounts, instant money transfers and Visa debit card services.

X Money allows eligible users to transfer money to other X accounts without charge of transfer fees. Its deposit account promotes an annualized rate of return of up to 6%, and you can get a 3% cash back for eligible purchases using X cards.

The banking infrastructure behind the service is provided by Cross River Bank and holds customer deposits. Funds deposited directly with the bank are covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000. An optional sweep arrangement allocates deposits to multiple participating banks, providing up to $10 million in cumulative penetration coverage to eligible users.

X Payments is not a bank itself, nor is it an FDIC underwriting institution. When it launched X Money, the company did not announce support for Bitcoin, Dogecoin or any stablecoin, so the creator payment discussion mentioned in the report is an independent potential application scenario for digital assets.

Before the launch of payment services, X Platform's senior product team has introduced talents with experience in cryptocurrency. In March, the company appointed Benji Taylor as design director, having previously held product and design positions at Aave, Avara and Coinbase's Base Networks.

Taylor's background includes work on cryptocurrency wallets, decentralized financial products and consumer applications. His personal website also lists positions related to xAI and SpaceX, but the X Platform did not link his appointment to the reported USDC discussions.

Musk has previously described payments as part of a plan to build X into an app that integrates social media and financial services. The company's current promotion in the United States relies on existing banking and card infrastructure, while stablecoin payments will introduce blockchain settlement into at least part of its creators 'business.

U.S. stablecoin regulatory rules will affect any promotion of platform X

For U.S. users, USDC payment options will be subject to the federal regulatory framework established by the GENIUS Act. President Donald Trump signed the bill in July 2025, establishing national rules for payment stablecoin issuers and their token distributors.

The bill requires licensed issuers to maintain a 1:1 reserve with approved liquid assets, provide regular disclosures, and meet redemption and compliance requirements. Most provisions are expected to take effect on January 18, 2027, unless the final implementation details are activated early.

On August 17, the U.S. Treasury Department proposed new regulations to define the circumstances in which payment stablecoins are issued, provided or sold within the United States. These definitions will help determine when issuers need federal or state licenses and when digital asset service providers need to comply with restrictions for U.S. customers.

After the Treasury Department published the proposal in the Federal Register, it opened a 60-day public comment period. The agency is also working on how U.S. platforms can provide foreign-issued stablecoins once distribution restrictions in the law take effect.

Circle's status as a U.S. domestic issuer may make its USDC a relevant option for companies seeking blockchain-based dollar-denominated payments under the new framework. Circle has not publicly confirmed its cooperation with Platform X, and the report did not identify other stablecoins under review.

Whether Platform X is paid through bank transfers or dollar-linked tokens, the remuneration received by creators still needs to be declared as taxable income in the United States. The IRS requires taxpayers to declare income based on their fair market value when they receive digital assets; if the asset value changes and is disposed of thereafter, separate gains or losses may arise.

Another social media company has tested a similar model overseas. In April, Meta introduced USDC payments for specific creators in Colombia and the Philippines, using wallets on the Solana and Polygon networks.

Stripe processes Meta's stablecoin payments and may provide users with cryptographic tax documents related to these transactions. Meta's support page shows that eligible creators can associate compatible wallets, receive USDC, and convert it into local currency through relevant services if supported.