YouTube has begun allowing U.S.-based creators to receive payouts in PYUSD, a stablecoin issued by PayPal, according to Fortune. The move represents another step in bringing cryptocurrencies—specifically dollar-pegged digital assets—closer to everyday users and established online platforms.

The development was confirmed by May Zabaneh, Head of PayPal’s crypto division. While the feature is already live, it is currently limited to creators based in the United States. PayPal integrated PYUSD payments earlier this year, after which YouTube opted to make the option available to its creators.

“The beauty of this solution is that YouTube doesn’t have to touch crypto at all. We remove all the technical complexity,” Zabaneh said.

PayPal and YouTube: a long-standing partnership, now with crypto

PayPal and YouTube share a long-standing partnership. The payments giant has handled transactions on YouTube for years and serves as a payout method for AdSense revenue. The integration of PYUSD into this ecosystem therefore appears less like an experiment and more like a natural evolution.

The move also signals a shift in YouTube’s stance toward cryptocurrencies. In the past, crypto-related content was often restricted or demonetized by platform algorithms. This step suggests that digital assets are becoming part of the mainstream economy—and YouTube is adjusting accordingly.

Stablecoins on the rise

YouTube’s decision could significantly accelerate stablecoin adoption. With billions of users worldwide and millions of active creators, the platform represents a powerful distribution channel for new financial technologies.

The stablecoin market has seen rapid growth over the past year. Traditional companies, financial institutions, and even governments are increasingly exploring ways to integrate stable digital assets into the conventional financial system. In this context, stablecoins are positioning themselves as a bridge between crypto and traditional money.

PYUSD continues to grow

The PYUSD stablecoin launched in mid-2023. According to CoinGecko data, its market capitalization currently stands at approximately $3.9 billion. As recently as January, it was valued at around $500 million.

Much of this growth occurred after September, when PYUSD’s market cap hovered near $1 billion. During that period, PYUSD was integrated into the Spark lending markets and into the Bitfinex Stable Blockchain, which focuses on institutional stablecoin use cases.

A signal to the wider market

YouTube’s entry into the stablecoin ecosystem sends a clear message: cryptocurrencies—at least in their stable form—are no longer a niche technology for enthusiasts. Instead, they are becoming tools that can function seamlessly within major platforms without requiring users to understand Blockchain mechanics or crypto wallets.

If PYUSD payouts prove successful in the U.S., an international rollout could follow. For the crypto market, that would mark another significant step toward mass adoption.

Sources:

https://fortune.com/2025/12/11/youtube-paypal-google-stablecoin-payouts-pyusd/

https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/paypal-usd