BlockBeats news: On February 3, according to The Block, Silicon Valley's most renowned startup accelerator, Y Combinator (YC), will allow startups to receive funding in stablecoins. This marks the first time the organization has offered this option to founders.
YC's access partner in the crypto space, Nemil Dalal, revealed that starting with the Spring 2026 batch, any startup receiving YC funding—regardless of whether it is crypto-native or related to crypto—will have the option to receive payments in stablecoins. Dalal stated that YC will provide funding in USDC via major blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Base, and Solana.
YC noted that this move comes at a so-called "regulatory inflection point" for stablecoins following the passage of the GENIUS Act in the United States. YC also believes that stablecoin transfers are faster and cheaper than traditional fiat channels, making them especially suitable for founders engaged in cross-border operations.