Influential startup accelerator Y Combinator will begin offering founders the option to receive their seed investments in USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin issued by Circle. The new policy will take effect starting with the Spring 2026 cohort and will be available to all startups in the program, regardless of their industry.
The move is intended to provide a faster and cheaper alternative to traditional banking, particularly for international founders who often face delays and high fees with wire transfers. Y Combinator cited that stablecoin transfers can settle globally in seconds for less than a cent. The accelerator also noted that the digital asset class has reached a "regulatory turning point," making the initiative viable.