Odaily Planet News: According to Y Combinator visiting partner Nemil Dalal, the well-known Silicon Valley startup incubator Y Combinator will allow startups to choose to receive their YC investment in USDC stablecoin. This option will take effect starting with the Spring 2026 batch.
This is the first time Y Combinator has offered a stablecoin payment option, covering major blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Base, and Solana. Nemil Dalal noted that stablecoin transfer costs are typically less than one cent and enable near-instant settlement, making them a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional cross-border remittances. This move comes as stablecoins have reached a regulatory inflection point following the passage of the U.S. GENIUS Act last year. YC has now invested in nearly 100 AI and crypto-related startups and stated that the stablecoin option will not affect predetermined funding amounts or terms.