Y Combinator, the Silicon Valley accelerator known for backing companies like Airbnb, Stripe, and Coinbase, is expanding how it funds startups. Beginning with its Spring 2026 batch, YC will allow founders to receive their investment in stablecoins, marking the first time the accelerator has introduced a non-traditional payout option.
The new approach will be available to all YC-backed startups, not just those working in crypto or blockchain, according to Nemil Dalal, a visiting partner at Y Combinator who focuses on crypto investments. Dalal said funding will be offered in USDC across several major blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Base, and Solana.
YC’s decision comes as stablecoins gain broader acceptance, particularly following recent regulatory developments in the United States. The accelerator described the current environment as a “regulatory inflection point” after the passage of the GENIUS Act last year, which helped clarify the legal framework around stablecoin usage.
Beyond regulation, YC sees practical advantages in blockchain-based payments. Stablecoin transfers are typically settled almost instantly and at minimal cost, making them appealing for founders operating across borders. Dalal compared the experience to sending a text message, noting that traditional international bank wires can take days and involve significant fees and paperwork.
The accelerator also pointed to real-world adoption among YC-backed companies in regions such as India and Latin America. Startups like Aspora and DolarApp already use stablecoins to help users move and store money in areas where banking infrastructure can be limited, expensive, or slow.
Importantly, YC emphasized that the funding option does not change its standard investment terms or amounts. The stablecoin payout simply gives founders an additional way to receive capital, allowing them to choose what best fits their operational needs.
Y Combinator has been active in crypto for more than a decade, starting with its early investment in Coinbase in 2012. Since then, it has backed nearly 100 crypto-related startups. While stablecoins are now a key area of interest, YC is also exploring related fields such as asset tokenization, onchain credit markets, and blockchain-based capital formation.
In recent years, the accelerator has framed these developments as part of a broader shift toward what it calls “Fintech 3.0,” a financial system built around software, instant settlement, and global access. Dalal said that even startups with no crypto product are increasingly using blockchains for payments, remittances, and payouts, where speed and cost efficiency matter most.
Harj Taggar
As this trend continues, YC expects blockchain infrastructure to play a growing role in how startups manage finances, raise capital, and potentially access public markets in the future.
By adding stablecoins as a funding option, Y Combinator is signaling that blockchain-based financial tools are moving closer to the mainstream, offering founders more flexibility in how they build and scale their businesses.
