rewrite this title Getting Paid In Crypto: The Payroll Revolution Of 2025

by
Alisa Davidson

Published: August 30, 2025 at 10:00 am Updated: August 29, 2025 at 8:31 am

by Victor Dey

Edited and fact-checked:
August 30, 2025 at 10:00 am

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The way people are paid for their work is undergoing a fundamental shift. Just as checks gave way to direct deposits and mobile wallets, a new method is quietly gaining traction—cryptocurrency payroll. What was once considered a niche experiment is now being tested by global corporations, tech startups, and freelancers alike. 

With blockchain technology maturing and stablecoins offering more predictable value, crypto payroll is emerging as a serious contender in the future of compensation.

Why Crypto Payroll Is Gaining Momentum

At its core, payroll is about more than just transferring money. It’s about efficiency, trust, global accessibility, and adapting to the evolving demands of a modern workforce. 

Pantera Capital, in its research, observed that crypto payroll adoption is increasing in sectors where cross-border payments, financial independence, and digital-native workforces play a central role.

The rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain infrastructure has created an environment where paying salaries in digital assets is both possible and increasingly practical. Bitfinex analysts have pointed out that many organizations view it not only as a technological innovation but also as a way to appeal to talent that already “lives and transacts in crypto.”

The Stablecoin Advantage

The volatility of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum has long been a sticking point for payroll adoption. After all, employees want certainty in their paychecks. This is where stablecoins have stepped in.

Pantera Capital highlighted that USDC has been particularly dominant, accounting for “63% market share” in crypto payroll-related transactions. The firm attributed this to USDC’s infrastructure advantage, wide availability on exchanges, and strong integration with banking partners.

Stablecoins remove much of the uncertainty, ensuring workers receive predictable compensation. For businesses, they also reduce conversion costs and provide faster settlement times compared to traditional banking channels.

What Businesses Stand to Gain

A Deloitte survey reported that 36% of executives are planning to use cryptocurrency for payroll, especially to support global hiring and meet employee demand

Adopting crypto payroll isn’t only about satisfying tech-savvy employees—it also comes with practical benefits for companies.

First, processing international payroll becomes easier. Traditional cross-border payments frequently demand several intermediaries, hidden fees, and delays. On the contrary, blockchain-based payments are nearly instant and usually less expensive. If you’re a company with a globally-distributed team, this can mean substantial savings through low fees and satisfied employees. 

Second, crypto enables transparency. Blockchain has an immutable ledger that allows both employee and employer to easily audit transactions, lowering the chances of disputes. 

Finally, it can be a compelling recruitment tool. With employees, especially younger ones, increasingly looking for flexibility on how they are paid, offering options for crypto provides potential employers an edge. Employees see getting paid in crypto from their employer more as “mark of innovation,” and meshing with their financial lifestyle.

Alex Bouaziz, Co-founder of Deel, highlighted the practical advantages, emphasizing that crypto payroll “allows people to get paid regardless of where they are… in a way that’s speedy,” which helps them “pay rent on time” 

Real-World Use Cases

The most visible use case has been in the tech sector, where startups and Web3 companies often offer partial or full salaries in crypto. This not only aligns with their business models but also fosters a sense of shared investment in the ecosystem.

Freelancers and gig economy workers are another group embracing crypto payroll. For them, it solves the long-standing issue of slow payments, currency conversion fees, and reliance on platforms that take significant cuts. 

A freelance developer in one of Rise’s case studies noted that receiving payment in USDC allowed them to avoid delays of “up to a week” that were common with traditional wire transfers.

Sports organizations and entertainers are experimenting with crypto payroll as well. Athletes and musicians have explored contracts that allow partial payments in Bitcoin or Ethereum, a trend that further boosts mainstream recognition of the practice.

A publication by RocketFuel stated that cryptocurrency adoption for payroll isn’t just novel—it’s inevitable, due to “reduced costs, increased efficiency, and the ability to meet the demands of a changing workforce”

The Drawbacks and Risks

As with any innovation, crypto payroll is not without its challenges. The most obvious is regulatory uncertainty. Rules around digital asset payments vary widely by country, creating legal and tax complexities for global businesses.

Price volatility, while mitigated by stablecoins, is still a concern if employees choose to receive part of their salary in more volatile cryptocurrencies. Bitfinex analysts noted that while some workers see receiving crypto as an investment, others prefer the “certainty of fiat.” Employers must balance these preferences carefully.

Security risks also exist. Businesses need to ensure payroll wallets are protected against hacking attempts, phishing, and internal fraud. While blockchain transactions are secure by design, poor custodial practices can still lead to losses.

Finally, there is the challenge of employee education. Not every worker is familiar with crypto wallets, private keys, or tax implications of holding digital assets. Employers offering this option must also provide adequate guidance.

Hybrid Approaches: The Best of Both Worlds

Given these challenges, many companies are experimenting with hybrid models. This allows employees to receive a portion of their salary in crypto—often stablecoins—while the rest remains in traditional fiat currency.

Rise has reported that this approach resonates strongly with employees. Workers can allocate, for example, 20% of their salary into USDC for savings or investment, while ensuring 80% covers regular expenses in local currency. This strikes a balance between innovation and stability.

Hybrid systems also help companies manage compliance more easily, since fiat remains the default method while crypto serves as an optional perk.

Who Should Consider Crypto Payroll?

Not every business will benefit equally from adopting crypto payroll. However, certain groups may find it particularly advantageous:

Global companies with distributed teams, who can save significantly on cross-border payments.

Startups in Web3 or tech industries, where paying in crypto is a natural cultural fit.

Freelancer-heavy organizations, where speed and flexibility in payment are highly valued.

Companies targeting younger talent, who increasingly see crypto as part of their financial identity.

On the other hand, companies acting in jurisdictions with vague or restrictive crypto regulations may have to proceed cautiously — or rely on third-party providers to remain compliant.

The Road Ahead

Crypto payroll is still in its infancy, but so was direct deposit and although it took time, direct deposit mimics the same trajectory as crypto payroll in terms of acceptance and use. 

Experts agree that the future of payroll is not likely to be completely crypto but that a hybrid approach is evolving where employees will be able to choose how they would like to get paid in a mixed payment amount of fiat and stablecoins, crypto and sometimes even tokens tied to company performance.

Pantera Capital summed it up well in its outlook, suggesting that crypto payroll adoption will expand “not as a replacement to fiat, but as an evolution of choice.” In other words, it’s not about forcing employees into crypto but about offering more flexibility in how they receive value for their work.

About The Author

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

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Alisa Davidson

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles