TLDR
- Pornhub is replacing USDT with USDC for creator and model payouts.
- Creators must update payout details by June 1 to avoid payment disruption.
- Pornhub cited MiCA compliance and full reserve backing for the USDC move.
- USDT still appears available for some Premium crypto payments at press time.
Pornhub is phasing out USDT for creator and model payouts and is moving to USDC instead. The company linked the change to regulatory compliance and payout reliability. Creators have until June 1 to update payment details or face payment disruption.
The move places USDC at the center of Pornhub’s payout system. It also marks another step in the platform’s long shift toward crypto payments after banking and card network pressure.
Pornhub shifts payout system to USDC
Pornhub has started replacing Tether’s USDT with Circle’s USDC for creator revenue payments. The platform said the change is tied to more reliable payout processing. It also pointed to USDC’s full reserve backing.
A screenshot shared by creator Gracie Hartie said creators must update payout details before June 1. The notice warned that payments may be disrupted if details are not changed in time. Pornhub has not publicly announced a wider timeline beyond that update.
Pornhub Replaces USDT with USDC for Creator Payouts
According to Protos, the world's largest adult website, Pornhub, has replaced USDT with USDC for creator payouts.
A circulated email says the move is aimed at improving payment reliability, while describing USDC as a regulated… pic.twitter.com/OdjCFjnedj
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) April 23, 2026
Pornhub’s partner and model program pages now list USDC and Verge among supported crypto payout options. At press time, USDT still appeared to be accepted for some Premium payments. That means the payout change is clearer than any broader payment change.
The company framed the move as a payment system update rather than a change in content policy. The focus remains on how creators receive earnings. That keeps the shift centered on settlement and compliance.
MiCA rules appear to be a key reason
Pornhub said the move to USDC is linked to the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, known as MiCA. Under these rules, firms face tighter standards for stablecoin use in Europe. That has pushed many crypto businesses to review token support.
Circle secured an Electronic Money Institution license in France in July 2024. That helped USDC meet MiCA requirements ahead of full enforcement. As a result, USDC gained a stronger position in regulated European markets.
Pornhub described USDC payouts as “more reliable.” It also tied the switch to the token’s compliance status in Europe. That language shows the platform is looking for payment tools that fit current rules.
The move also reflects a wider trend in crypto payments. Companies are paying more attention to reserve backing and legal clarity. Stablecoin choices now depend on regulation as well as liquidity.
Crypto became more important after payment blockades
Pornhub began using crypto in 2018 when it added Verge for Premium subscriptions. Later, it added PumaPay for recurring billing. At that stage, crypto served a small group of users.
That changed after PayPal ended creator payouts in late 2019. Pornhub then adopted USDT as a dollar-pegged option for payouts. The token offered a way to move funds outside traditional payment channels.
Pressure increased again in December 2020 when Visa and Mastercard suspended processing. Since then, the platform has expanded support for Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Dogecoin, USDC, and other assets. Crypto became a practical payment route, not just an experiment.
Now, the shift from USDT to USDC shows how that strategy is changing again. This time, the change is tied to compliance and payout stability. Pornhub is keeping crypto, but it is changing which stablecoin leads.
