Meta has quietly initiated a pilot program that pays select Facebook creators in USDC, a stablecoin issued by Circle. The payments are processed through Stripe and settle on either the Solana or Polygon blockchain. This marks a significant shift from Meta’s earlier attempt with Libra, which collapsed in 2022 under intense regulatory scrutiny. Instead of creating its own digital currency, Meta now leverages existing stablecoin infrastructure, positioning itself as a participant rather than a central issuer. The move enables creators in Colombia and the Philippines to link wallets like MetaMask, Phantom, or Binance and receive earnings directly in USDC. Stripe handles the backend, including tax documentation, while Meta emphasizes it is not minting its own token. This approach avoids the regulatory hurdles that doomed Libra, as the stablecoin is issued by Circle, transactions are managed by Stripe, and settlement occurs on decentralized networks. Solana was chosen partly due to its ultra-low fees and sub-second transaction speeds; in early 2026, Circle minted over $10.5 billion USDC on Solana in a single month. With Meta paying creators nearly $3 billion in 2025, even a partial shift to stablecoin payouts could drive substantial volume onto these blockchains. The pilot is part of a broader strategy disclosed earlier this year, where Meta plans to integrate stablecoin payments across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp through third-party partnerships.