Elon Musk's X explores using stablecoins like USDC to pay content creators

Elon Musk's social media platform X is reportedly exploring the integration of stablecoins, specifically Circle's USDC, to pay content creators under its new Original Content Rewards Program. While X has not officially confirmed the plans, the move would leverage stablecoins for faster, cheaper global payments. This strategy mirrors Musk's aerospace company SpaceX, which already utilizes stablecoins for Starlink payments in emerging markets to bypass traditional banking friction.

X stablecoin creator payments

• ▪In June 2026, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao stated that Elon Musk told him that the social media platform X was staying away from cryptocurrency.
• ▪As of August 20, 2026, social media platform X has not released an official announcement, timeline, or confirmation regarding the implementation of stablecoin payments.
• ▪Social media platform X is in discussions to explore using stablecoins, such as Circle Internet's USDC, to pay royalties to content creators and influencers.

Original Content Rewards Program

• ▪The Original Content Rewards Program is designed to compensate creators who contribute original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity, and commentary to the platform X.
• ▪Social media platform X is phasing out its ad-driven Revenue Sharing program in favor of a new system called the Original Content Rewards Program.

Cross-border payment efficiency

• ▪Traditional international bank transfers often involve significant delays and high transaction fees, particularly for micropayments sent outside United States borders.
• ▪Stablecoins are being considered by social media platform X to enable faster and cheaper cross-border payments to its global creator community.

Benji Taylor crypto hire

• ▪In March 2026, Elon Musk hired cryptocurrency veteran Benji Taylor as the head of design at X, with a role spanning X, xAI, and SpaceX.
• ▪Prior to joining X, Benji Taylor led design at Coinbase Global's Base blockchain network and has extensive experience in digital wallets and decentralized finance.

SpaceX Starlink stablecoin precedent

• ▪Elon Musk's aerospace company SpaceX uses stablecoins to collect cross-border payments from Starlink satellite internet customers in emerging markets.
• ▪Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya stated in December 2024 that SpaceX used stablecoins to avoid foreign exchange exposure and international bank wire costs for Starlink payments.

Stablecoin mainstream adoption growth

• ▪On June 30, 2026, more than 140 firms, including Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, BlackRock, and Google, backed the launch of the Open USD stablecoin project.
• ▪The global stablecoin market has grown to exceed $300 billion in total market capitalization, attracting major traditional payment networks and financial institutions.