Meta Targets H2 2026 Stablecoin Rollout After Diem Failure
Meta is preparing to return to the stablecoin arena in the second half of 2026, this time with a very different playbook.
Key Takeaways
- Meta plans a stablecoin return in H2 2026 using third-party tokens instead of launching its own.
- The focus is on cheaper, faster creator payouts across Instagram and Facebook.
- The move follows clearer U.S. rules under the GENIUS Act and supports Meta’s broader AI and agentic commerce strategy.
Instead of launching a proprietary digital currency like its abandoned Libra – later Diem – project, the company is opting for partnerships with established infrastructure providers and existing stablecoins.
The shift comes after a friendlier regulatory backdrop in the United States, particularly following the passage of the GENIUS Act in 2025. The new federal framework has given large technology firms clearer rules for integrating payment stablecoins into their platforms, reducing the legal uncertainty that derailed Meta’s earlier crypto ambitions.
A Creator-Focused Payment Rail
According to reports, Meta’s new initiative is centered on solving a practical problem – cross-border creator payouts. The company wants to use stablecoins as a low-cost settlement layer to pay Instagram and Facebook creators globally, especially for smaller transfers of around $100 that are currently burdened by high wire and currency conversion fees.
Rather than issuing its own token, Meta is described as “stablecoin agnostic.” That means it could integrate established digital dollars such as USD Coin instead of building a native asset from scratch. This approach significantly lowers regulatory and reputational risk compared to the Libra era.
Meta has reportedly sent Requests for Product to several crypto infrastructure firms. Stripe is widely viewed as a potential pilot partner, particularly after its CEO joined Meta’s board in 2025. Leadership of the initiative is said to sit with Ginger Baker, a Meta executive with prior experience at Ripple and ties to the Stellar Development Foundation.
From Diem to Integration
Meta’s earlier digital currency effort, Libra – later rebranded as Diem – aimed to build a global payment network backed by a consortium. It ultimately collapsed in 2022 after intense regulatory pushback and was sold off.
The 2026 strategy is narrower and more pragmatic. Instead of reshaping the global monetary system, Meta is focusing on reducing friction within its own ecosystem. Stablecoins would act as a backend “liquidity bridge” for payouts rather than a consumer-facing global currency.
This pivot reflects a broader recalibration inside the company.
AI Spending Surges as Metaverse Spending Falls
Meta’s stablecoin revival is unfolding alongside one of the largest AI investment programs in the tech sector. The company has projected between $115 billion and $135 billion in capital expenditures for 2026, largely directed at its AI infrastructure and “Super Intelligence Labs.”
Major multi-year hardware agreements with NVIDIA and AMD are designed to secure millions of high-performance GPUs for training and inference. At the same time, spending at Reality Labs – the division behind its metaverse push – is reportedly being reduced by up to 30 percent to reallocate resources toward AI and payments.
AI Agents and Autonomous Commerce
The stablecoin plan is not isolated. It forms part of a broader 2026 vision centered on “agentic commerce.” Meta is developing AI agents that can compare products, manage shopping decisions, and potentially execute transactions on behalf of users.
In that model, stablecoins become the settlement rail for autonomous payments. AI-driven agents could negotiate, trigger, and finalize blockchain-based contracts with minimal human intervention. By combining massive compute power with its social data ecosystem, Meta aims to create personalized AI systems that can handle commerce seamlessly – and settle value instantly.
A Different Kind of Crypto Bet
Meta’s return to stablecoins signals a strategic shift rather than a revival of past ambitions. The company is no longer trying to issue a global currency. Instead, it is embedding digital dollars into its platforms as financial infrastructure.
If successful, the rollout in H2 2026 could transform how creators are paid and how AI-driven commerce operates across Meta’s ecosystem – marking a quieter but potentially more durable re-entry into crypto.
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Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.
