According to Nemil Dalal, a visiting partner at Y Combinator, the renowned Silicon Valley incubator Y Combinator will allow startups to receive YC investment funds in USDC stablecoin, an option that will be available starting with the Spring 2026 batch. This marks the first time Y Combinator has offered a stablecoin payment option, covering major blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Base, and Solana. Dalal stated that stablecoin transfers typically cost less than 1 cent and offer near-instantaneous settlement, making them a more efficient and cheaper alternative to traditional cross-border remittances. This move comes at a regulatory turning point for stablecoins following the passage of the GENIUS Act in the US last year. YC has already invested in nearly 100 AI and crypto-related startups and stated that the stablecoin option will not affect the established funding amount or terms.