Hobnob News Report:
Meta is gearing up for a potential return to the crypto space, with early-stage discussions underway to introduce stablecoin-based payments across its platforms—particularly Instagram. According to insiders who spoke with Fortune on May 8, the tech giant is exploring partnerships with crypto infrastructure firms to facilitate the use of stablecoins such as USDT and USDC.
The initiative aims to enhance payout efficiency for small-scale content creators, allowing for faster, lower-cost transactions with a global footprint. Meta executives revealed the company is adopting a multi-token strategy and remains in what they describe as a “learn mode.”
As part of its renewed crypto push, Meta has brought in Ginger Baker, a former executive at Plaid and a board member of the Stellar Development Foundation, to spearhead product development in the digital finance space.
This marks Meta’s most notable move in crypto since the discontinuation of its Diem stablecoin project in 2022, which was halted amid mounting regulatory scrutiny.
Meta’s renewed interest comes as stablecoins gain wider acceptance, with companies like Stripe expanding global support and Visa forging new partnerships in the sector. However, regulatory uncertainty remains: On May 8, the U.S. Senate stalled debate on the GENIUS Act, a critical bill aimed at regulating stablecoins, citing concerns over illicit finance and the role of foreign-issued tokens.
With the stage set for a possible crypto revival, all eyes are now on how Meta navigates the regulatory landscape to empower its global creator economy through digital assets.
