Pornhub Drops Tether (USDT) for USDC, Citing 'More Reliable' and 'Regulated' Stablecoin

Pornhub has abruptly stopped accepting Tether (USDT) for creator payouts, switching exclusively to Circle's USDC stablecoin. The change, first revealed through a screenshot of an internal email shared by OnlyFans creator Gracie Hartie, frames the move as a direct upgrade in reliability and security for its global network of content creators. The platform explicitly cited USDC's status as a "fully-backed, MiCA-compliant and regulated stablecoin" as the core reason for the shift, positioning it as a "more secure option for your earnings." This pivot away from the dominant USDT is a significant operational change for one of the world's largest adult websites.

The email, reportedly received by other users including a Japanese trader, instructs creators that USDC "works just like USDT on the ERC-20 network" and is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. The company's official model program page has been updated to reflect the change, removing USDT and listing USDC as the available payment method. This action removes a major on-ramp for Tether within a high-volume, global industry, directly impacting how thousands of creators receive their funds.

The switch signals a growing institutional preference for stablecoins that can publicly tout regulatory compliance, especially under frameworks like the EU's MiCA. For Tether, the loss of a high-profile partner like Pornhub represents a tangible hit to its commercial ecosystem and market perception, even as it remains the largest stablecoin by volume. The move places immediate pressure on Tether to address concerns over its backing and regulatory standing with other major platforms that process substantial cross-border payments.