YouTube Joins Crypto Payment Wave With PYUSD Stablecoin Payouts

• YouTube lets US creators receive AdSense payouts in PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin via PayPal.
• PYUSD’s market cap soared from $500M in January to $3.9B, driven by new integrations.

YouTube has started allowing US-based creators to accept their earnings in PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin. The development was confirmed by PayPal’s head of crypto, May Zabaneh, who told Fortune the feature is already live. Zabaneh noted,

This marks a change in stance from YouTube, which has faced criticism in the past for limiting or banning crypto-related content. Though the platform itself still doesn’t handle cryptocurrencies directly, the integration allows payouts in PYUSD without altering the backend operations of YouTube or involving the company in crypto management.

PayPal, which already handled AdSense payouts for YouTube through its platform, first added support for receiving PYUSD earlier in the year. The option was later made available to creators, opening a new channel for those who prefer digital stablecoins tied to the US dollar.

Stablecoin PYUSD Gains Ground Across Big Tech

YouTube’s step follows a broader wave of interest in digital assets among major tech firms. Google Cloud had earlier accepted PYUSD payments from two customers, suggesting a wider willingness inside Google to explore crypto settlement methods under certain contracts.

The use of stablecoins like PYUSD, which are pegged to assets such as the US dollar, is expanding across industries. PYUSD itself has seen sharp growth. Its market value rose from about $500 million in January to nearly $4 billion by December.

A large part of this rise happened after September, when the token was added to Spark’s lending markets and to Bitfinex’s institution-focused blockchain, Stable.

This growing reach has made PYUSD a clear example of stablecoin use, especially among well-known financial and technology institutions. The expansion to YouTube introduces this token to millions of potential users, particularly creators who are seeking alternatives to traditional bank transfers.

Clearer US Rules Fuel Crypto Expansion

The legal framework for digital assets became clearer in July after the approval of the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law by US President Donald Trump. The bill clarified crypto-related regulations in the United States, making it easier for companies such as PayPal to expand their services with less uncertainty.

Earlier this year, Stripe bought the stablecoin startup Bridge for 1.1 billion dollars, signaling rising mainstream attention to the space. This signals a shift in digital payments, with stablecoins increasingly integrated alongside traditional payment systems.

PayPal stepped into digital currencies in 2020 by allowing users to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum on its platform. Later, on August 7 2023, it launched its own token, PYUSD.