YC Startups Can Now Receive Investment in Stablecoin

Startups accepted into Y Combinator will soon have the option to receive their seed funding in stablecoins, according to YC partner Nemil Dalal, who shared the update with The Block.

Y Combinator’s well-known “standard deal” involves investing $500,000 in each accepted startup in exchange for 7% equity. Beginning with the upcoming spring batch, founders will be able to receive that investment via blockchain networks, including Base, Solana, and Ethereum.

Dalal said stablecoin payouts can be especially effective for founders operating in emerging markets, where traditional banking systems may be slower, more expensive, or more complicated to access. He added that the move also reflects YC’s broader commitment to the blockchain ecosystem.

Last fall, Y Combinator partnered with Base and Coinbase Ventures to encourage founders to build more companies focused on blockchain technology.

Interest in blockchain and crypto infrastructure has been gaining momentum again in Silicon Valley, driven in part by recent steps in the United States toward more precise and more crypto-friendly regulation. The shift has renewed enthusiasm among investors and founders alike, as regulatory uncertainty has long been viewed as a significant barrier to broader adoption.