Meta has begun settling payments in the stablecoin USDC for some Facebook creators in Colombia and the Philippines.

Cryptopolitan, a blockchain outlet, reported on Tuesday that Meta is running a pilot program using the Solana and Polygon networks to cut cross-border payout delays and fees.

The move is seen as a new approach after Meta scrapped its digital asset project once called Libra and later renamed Diem. Rather than building a new payment method itself, it is focusing on improving settlement efficiency by using existing blockchain infrastructure and stablecoins.

A Meta spokesperson said the company is reviewing stablecoins as part of broader payment options. Meta does not pay out by converting USDC into cash in this test. Creators must bear the final exchange step and the fees that come with it.

The settlement structure is simple, but users must go through extra steps. After receiving USDC, creators must cash it out through an exchange or other channel. Meta is working with Stripe to support tax reporting in the process.

Colombia and the Philippines were chosen as test markets because both face cost and speed issues in overseas settlements. In the Philippines, many creators depend on cross-border income, and existing settlement methods take several days and often carry high fees. In Colombia, access to banking services outside major cities is uneven, reflecting the view that mobile-based crypto wallets could be an alternative.

Still, the user experience is not yet seamless. Wallet management, moving funds and converting them to cash are all left to users. The article said stablecoins can reduce time and costs, but the step of converting crypto into cash remains a barrier.

In the market, the move is being viewed as a signal of a shift in intent rather than a full-scale expansion by Meta. Instead of seeking to reshape the global financial order as in the past, Meta is testing whether fast, borderless payment methods can solve real problems. The outlet described Meta’s return as a "quiet return" that proceeds without big promises or a new currency.

Other companies are showing a similar trend. Shopify allows sellers to receive USDC, and Western Union and DoorDash are reviewing the use of stablecoins for global remittances and gig worker settlements. Against this backdrop, Meta’s test is becoming an example for assessing the potential use of stablecoins in creator payouts.

There was also talk of potential expansion. Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron said Meta’s program could expand to more than 160 countries by the end of 2026. It is currently a small pilot, but attention is focused on whether the number of countries and participants will grow as Meta pivots to payments based on existing stablecoins instead of issuing its own coin, which carries a heavy regulatory burden.

For creators, the biggest expectations are faster settlements and lower fees. For Meta, the core of the test is that it is approaching the market again by solving real payment problems rather than putting cryptocurrency front and center.