X is pushing more users toward its in-app payments system by requiring creators enrolled in its Original Content Rewards and subscription programs to receive their earnings exclusively through X Money. The change applies only to creators based in the United States, and it removes any alternative payout methods that were previously available.
Faster Payouts, But Fewer Choices
According to an announcement from the platform’s official creators account, US payouts tied to these programs will now be processed through X Money starting immediately. X has framed the move as a benefit, arguing that creators will get access to their funds as soon as they’re sent instead of waiting until they cross a minimum payout threshold. To use X Money, creators must verify a phone number and hold an active X Premium subscription — though the latter was already a requirement for joining the monetization program, so the practical barrier to entry stays the same. Notably, creators outside the US will continue receiving payments through Stripe rather than being moved onto X Money.
A Bigger Bet on Payments — With Bigger Risks
X Money began testing in November 2025 and has since expanded across the US following a partnership with Cross River Bank, which helped the company work through regulatory hurdles. Cross River now underpins X Money’s infrastructure, including its Visa debit card for ATM withdrawals, meaning X Money functions through the bank’s approved systems rather than as a standalone financial product. The push toward mandatory in-app payments comes as X also contends with rising security threats, with reports indicating hackers have increasingly targeted accounts specifically to access users’ X Money information — a growing concern as the company works to expand payments into a core part of its “everything app” strategy.