Elon Musk's payouts are getting bigger! This is no joke—as long as your X account meets the requirements, you can receive real US dollars every month through creator revenue sharing.
Currently, I see some friends in the Chinese X community earning as much as $4,000 in just half a month.
For example, the mysterious SOL big brother, AB Kuai Dong, and others...
However, I've seen too many users fail or face weeks of delays because of one small detail—everything seems right, but they get stuck on name mismatches, wrong region selection, or missing tax forms.
Even more frustrating is that most X tutorials are either outdated 2025 versions (policies have changed) or only cover the broad strokes without the necessary details to actually implement them.
Since enabling my own payouts, I have helped many friends set up their accounts and collected hundreds of real-world cases—successes, failures, and those stuck in risk control. I've compiled all these lessons into this step-by-step guide. As a creator who has successfully received payments, I can confidently say: If you want to get paid by Musk in the future, this is a must-read and must-bookmark.
This isn't just a tutorial; it's a pitfall avoidance guide + practical manual:
- ✅ Every step includes real screenshots (from my own payout process)
- ✅ Highlights 10 fatal details where people most often fail
- ✅ Integrates solutions for 15 high-frequency problems
- ✅ All information is based on the latest February 2026 policies
My goal is simple: to ensure everyone who reads this can successfully receive their first payout without hitting a single snag. I recommend bookmarking this first, then following the steps!
📋 Preparation Checklist
Before you begin, ensure you have the following materials ready:
Essential Materials
- ✅ Chinese Passport (highly recommended) or Mainland ID card
- ✅ Stable Network Proxy (US or Hong Kong nodes)
- ✅ Hong Kong Bank Card or Wise Account (for receiving payments; supports Mainland ID registration)
- ✅ X Premium Subscription (Blue checkmark verification)
Prerequisites
Your X account must meet these conditions to enable revenue sharing:
- Account age ≥ 3 months
- Followers ≥ 500 (follow-for-follow counts, but carries risk)
- Impressions in the last 3 months ≥ 5 million
- Account has passed identity verification
Step 1: Complete X Account Identity Verification
This is the most critical step. The 2026 verification process has been optimized; Mainland users can pass quickly through the Stripe channel using just an ID card. This is how I did it.
Here is my previous tweet about verification:
https://x.com/AI_Jasonyu/status/2004438992151073203
Operation Steps:
1. Adjust Device Environment
- Change phone system language to English (US)
- Change X App language to English (US)
- Connect to a US node proxy (This is very important!)
2. Enter Verification Portal
Open the X App and follow this path:
Profile Icon → Creator Studio → Verify your identity → Identity Verification
3. Select Document Type
The system will ask you to choose an ID document:
- Region: Select China [What I chose]. Hong Kong, Singapore, or the US might work but are less stable for most people.
- Selection: ID Card - Takes only a few minutes [What I chose]. If you choose Hong Kong, a passport also works quickly.
4. Upload Document Photos
Follow the prompts to take or upload photos:
Take clear photos of the front and back of your ID card, ensuring there is no glare.
Note: Verification here goes through the Stripe channel (not Persona). If Persona pops up and keeps failing, change your phone region and language to the US and try again.
5. Selfie Verification
The system will require facial recognition:
- Ensure good lighting
- Rotate your head as prompted
- Ensure your face is fully within the frame
6. Wait for Review
Submissions are usually reviewed within 5-30 minutes. You will receive a notification once passed.
Step 2: Register and Configure Wise Account [Skip if you have a HK bank card]
Wise is currently the best solution for Mainland users to receive payments. It supports ID card registration, has low fees, and is easy to set up.
1. Why choose Wise?
- ✅ Supports Mainland ID registration (no HK/Macau permit needed)
- ✅ Can open a Hong Kong account for receiving funds
- ✅ Direct withdrawal to Alipay/WeChat/UnionPay
- ✅ Transparent exchange rates and low fees
2. Registering a Wise Account
Visit the Wise website to register. Use the link below to get a fee-free transfer quota.
- Use a Gmail address if possible.
- Account Type: Select "Personal".
- Country: Select "China".
- Bind and verify your phone number (using +86 is fine).
- Set a password: Letters + numbers, at least 9 characters.
- Fill in personal info: Use Pinyin for your name; ensure the name and address match your ID card.
- Complete ID + facial recognition (Crucial).
- Add USD and HKD accounts.
3. Open a Hong Kong (HKD) Account
In the Wise dashboard:
Add Balance → Select Currency → HKD → Get Account Details
The system will generate HK bank info, including:
- Account Number
- Bank Code
- Branch Code
- Bank Address
4. Wise Account Maintenance Tips
To avoid risk control:
- Select "Salary/Wages" as the source of funds.
- Select a higher annual income bracket ($100k+).
- After receiving your first X payout, wait 24 hours before withdrawing.
- Don't withdraw immediately; maintain a small balance.
For a more detailed guide, check the pinned tutorial by @MotongDAO.
Step 3: Register and Configure Stripe Account [The Core of This Tutorial]
Stripe is the official payment channel for X. All creator revenue must pass through Stripe via the Stripe Express service.
Similarly, before applying, switch your phone language to English and your VPN to a US node.
1. Enter Stripe Settings
In the X App:
Profile Icon → Revenue Sharing → Set up payments → Connect Stripe Account
This will automatically redirect you to the Stripe registration page.
2. Fill in Stripe Account Information
⚠️ Critical Reminder: All information below must match your HK Card / Wise account exactly!
1. Enter Email
Use a fresh email (Gmail is best) to register a personal Stripe account.
If you previously used this card for a business application, it doesn't matter; X revenue just passes through this as a transit to your card. I used a Stripe account that had previously failed a US company application, and it worked fine.
2. Enter Phone Number and Verification Code
You can bind a +86 number here, but to be safe, I used a Hong Kong number.
After entering the number and the code, proceed to the next step.
If you need a HK phone number, check my previous tweets on how to register one for backup.
https://x.com/AI_Jasonyu/status/2008172557233692753?s=20
https://x.com/AI_Jasonyu/status/2007432863525015973?s=20
3. Create a New Business
My screenshot shows a previous entity I registered on Stripe that wasn't approved.
Ignore that and click "Create a new business." Do NOT use an existing business account for payouts, as it won't match your verification and will cause issues.
4. Select Region and Account Type
- Region must be: Hong Kong
- Business Type: Select Individual
- Do not select the US or other regions unless you have a specific card or are doing a second verification to increase limits.
5. Fill in Personal Information
- Legal first name: Your given name in Pinyin, ALL CAPS (Match your bank card name).
- Legal last name: Your surname in Pinyin, ALL CAPS (Match your bank card name).
- Date of Birth: Match your passport.
6. Fill in Home Address
Since most people don't have a HK address, use the bank address provided by your HK card or Wise:
- Check your HKD account details in Wise.
- Copy the Bank Address.
- Paste it into the Stripe address field.
I used the address provided by ZA Bank; Wise users should do the same.
7. Bind Bank Account
A note: Many X users recommend HSBC HK because it can receive USD directly. ZA Bank automatically converts to HKD with a roughly 1-2% fee. If you spend in USD, try HSBC; otherwise, ZA Bank is fine.
To bind your HK account to Stripe:
- Account holder name: Pinyin, Surname first, then Given name [ALL CAPS, matching your bank app].
- Choose your bank: e.g., ZA BANK LIMITED [387]. Search the dropdown for your bank.
- Choose your branch: This usually auto-fills.
- Account number: Enter the full Account Number provided by ZA/Wise (do not just enter 9 digits).
- Confirm account number: Re-enter the number.
⚠️ Common Errors:
- Wrong digit count: The example shows 9 digits, but enter your actual number. My ZA Bank number is 12 digits; I entered them all.
- Name mismatch: Stripe and Bank/Wise names must be identical.
- Address format error: Use the standard address provided by your bank.
Step 4: Confirm Info and Fill Tax Form (W-8BEN)
1. Confirm Previous Info
Ensure Business type, Website (your X profile link), Personal details, and Payout details are all correct. Click Edit if needed.
2. W-8/W-9 Tax Treaty
This is a US tax requirement. Filling this out reduces withholding tax from 30% to 10%. Click Update.
🔔 Key Points
1. Tax Residency
Are you considered a U.S. Person for Federal Tax Purposes? Select No.
2. Mailing Address
Is your mailing address the same as the permanent residence address above? Select Yes.
3. U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number
Leave blank.
4. Non-U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number
Enter your passport number or ID number. (I left it blank and it still worked, but it's better to fill it in).
5. Tax Treaty Claims
Select No.
- Check the agreement box and type your full English name in the Signature field.
Note: Ensure the name order matches the confirmation page (e.g., Given Name then Surname).
- Click "Agree and submit" and wait for review.
Step 5: Wait for Review and First Payout
1. Stripe Review Time
- Typical time: A few hours to 2-3 days.
- Review content: Identity, bank account, and business compliance.
Once passed, your Revenue Sharing page in Creator Studio will show "Active."
2. Payout Rules
- Threshold: Cumulative earnings of $30 USD.
- Frequency: Twice a month (usually the 17th and 31st).
- Timeline:
- X → Stripe: Instant
- Stripe → Bank/Wise: 2-7 business days
- Wise → Alipay/WeChat: Minutes
3. Wise First Payout Precautions
Wise Risk Review
The first large deposit will trigger a review. This is normal:
- Prepare Explanations: Source of funds: "X platform creator revenue." Occupation: "Freelancer" or "Content Creator."
- Maintenance: Keep funds for 24-48 hours before withdrawing. Don't empty the account immediately. Maintain a small balance.
- Duration: Usually 24-72 hours. If frozen, email support with X revenue screenshots.
Withdrawing to China
Recommended: Alipay
- Lowest fees, fastest speed (minutes), transparent rates.
Steps:
Wise Dashboard → Select CNY → Send → Add Recipient → Select CNY → E-wallet → Myself → Alipay → Enter phone number → Continue → Enter amount.
⚠️ Note: The first withdrawal is fee-free (withdraw everything at once!). Subsequent withdrawals have fixed + percentage fees.
🚨 Essential Pitfall Avoidance
Based on feedback, here are the most common mistakes:
- Name Mismatch: X, Stripe, and Wise names must be identical in Pinyin/English.
- Wrong Region: Stripe must be set to Hong Kong.
- Wise Name Not Updated: Ensure your Wise name is your Passport Pinyin, not Chinese characters.
- Tax Form Errors: Failing to fill W-8BEN results in a 30% tax deduction instead of 10%.
- Network Environment: Use a stable US or HK node throughout the process.
- Language Settings: Keep phone and App in English (US) to ensure the Stripe channel is used.
- Bank Info Errors: Enter the full account number provided by your bank, regardless of the 9-digit example.
- Immediate Withdrawal: Don't withdraw from Wise immediately; wait 24 hours to avoid risk flags.
- Follow-for-Follow: Excessive follow-for-follow can delay payouts or lead to bans.
- Stripe Not Bound: Revenue only accumulates and pays out once Stripe is successfully connected.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What if I chose the wrong Stripe region?
A: You can't change it yourself. DM @premium for support to unbind it, then provide proof of residence for the new region. It's better to get it right the first time.
Q2: Can Mainland ID pass verification?
A: Yes! Use a US VPN, set language to English, and enter via Creator Studio. ID cards or passports work in minutes.
Q3: Is Wise okay without a HK card?
A: Yes! It's the most popular alternative. Just ensure the name matches your passport Pinyin.
Q4: Why did my payout fail?
A: Check for Wise address errors, wrong account digit counts, name mismatches, or unstable IPs.
Q5: Wise HKD account is slow/rejected?
A: Use Passport Pinyin, select "Salary" as source, and high income. If rejected, appeal with ID scans.
Q6: Wise funds frozen?
A: Common for first large deposits. Keep funds for 24 hours, use "Social media income" as the reason, and provide screenshots if asked.
Q7: High Alipay fees on Wise?
A: The first one is free. Alipay is still the cheapest and fastest option compared to WeChat or bank cards.
Q8: Stripe HK activation failed?
A: Check name/address consistency (100% match). Use "Individual" and "Social media content creator" as the description.
Q9: Earnings reached but not showing?
A: You must complete Stripe binding + ID verification first. Check for "Pending" status in the Monetization tab.
Q10: Can I edit the W-8BEN?
A: Yes, you can resubmit in the Stripe dashboard to correct errors and reduce tax to 10%.
Q11: One Wise/Stripe for multiple X accounts?
A: Risky. It can lead to account correlation bans. One account per Stripe is safer.
Q12: Does being shadowbanned affect revenue?
A: Yes. Lower impressions directly mean lower ad revenue. Avoid spamming and sensitive topics.
Q13: Do I need to report tax in Mainland China?
A: Income over 120k CNY should be declared. Large amounts over $50k may trigger anti-money laundering inquiries.
Q14: HSBC vs. ZA Bank?
A: HSBC is better for USD settlement (no conversion fee). ZA Bank is fine but has a ~1% conversion loss.
Q15: How long for funds to arrive?
A: Stripe review takes days; the first withdrawal takes 7-14 days (official delay); subsequent ones take 2-7 business days.
🎯 Summary: 3 Keys to Success
1. Consistency is Life
X, Stripe, and Wise names must be identical. This is the cause of 90% of failures.
2. Plan Ahead
Start preparing accounts 1-2 months before you hit the revenue threshold.
3. Account Maintenance
Don't spam on X, and don't empty your Wise account immediately after receiving funds.
📢 Final Words
This plan has a 95%+ success rate for Mainland creators. I used this exact process for my first payout.
If you have questions, leave a comment! If you've succeeded, share your experience!
Good luck, and may you find success on X! 💰
If this helped, please ❤️ Like and 🔁 Retweet to help others! 🙏
