Y Combinator opens stablecoin funding option for startups starting Spring 2026

Y Combinator, the prominent startup accelerator, announced it will offer startups the option to receive their funding in stablecoins, beginning with the Spring 2026 cohort. This option, available to all YC-funded companies, will utilize USDC across major blockchains like Ethereum, Base, and Solana. According to Nemil Dalal, a visiting crypto partner at YC, the move is prompted by the regulatory clarity stablecoins have gained, such as following the passage of the GENIUS Act, and the operational benefits of stablecoin transfers, which are faster, cheaper (under one cent), and settle instantly compared to traditional international wires. The option does not change YC's funding amounts or terms. YC continues to actively invest in crypto-related startups, focusing on stablecoins, tokenization, and onchain capital formation, expecting blockchains to increasingly underpin startup finance operations.

(Source：The Block)