Managing global payroll remains complex with shifting regulations, slow cross-border transfers, and volatile FX rates make traditional systems expensive and inefficient.
That’s why crypto payroll is gaining widespread traction as a faster, more flexible alternative.
Between 2023 and 2025, the share of companies using or exploring stablecoin payroll rose from 15% to 25%, which is a 66.7% increase driven not only by crypto-native teams but also by traditional businesses adopting stablecoins for global payouts.
Meanwhile, crypto payroll platforms like Rise have supported this surge by enabling hybrid fiat-and-crypto payments across 190+ countries and powering more than $1B+ in payroll volume worldwide.
What is Crypto Payroll Referring To?
Crypto payroll refers to the allocation of cryptocurrency as a form of remuneration for services rendered by employees or contractors.
Instead of traditional fiat currency, wages are disbursed in digital assets, harnessing blockchain technology for secure and transparent transactions that transcend geographical boundaries and fiat currency exchange rate volatilities.
Crypto payroll is typically conducted in stablecoins such as USDT and USDC, but other forms of cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins.
This innovative payroll method not only streamlines international payments but also introduces a new level of flexibility in compensation structures, appealing to the digital-savvy workforce and forward-thinking employers alike.
Learn more about USDT payroll and USDC payroll here.
Best Crypto Payroll Software 2026
Selecting a superior crypto payroll provider is imperative for forward-thinking enterprises.
The right platform will enable secure, compliant, and efficient cryptocurrency-based compensation, aligning with modern remuneration strategies.
1. Rise
In 2026, Rise is the best crypto payroll software thanks to its comprehensive suite of features tailored to meet the needs of modern, globally distributed teams.
Their unique features of the Rise ID, automated smart contract payroll, and wide range of supported currencies make it number one among the competition.
Here’s some more details about why Rise stands out as a top choice:
Rise ID: A Unique Identifier
At the heart of Rise's platform is the RiseID, a unique identifier for each employee.
This simplifies the complexity typically associated with managing payroll in diverse currencies and across different countries.
The RiseID ties all transactions and contracts to an individual, ensuring a seamless experience for both the employer and the employee, regardless of the geographical location or the currency used.
Easy KYC Process
Rise has streamlined the Know Your Customer (KYC) process, making it remarkably straightforward for businesses to onboard new employees.
This simplified KYC ensures compliance with international regulations while minimizing the entry barriers for employees unfamiliar with crypto.
The platform's user-friendly interface means that employees can easily navigate the verification process, leading to a quicker setup time and reducing the administrative burden on HR departments.
Smart Contracts for Automated Payroll
One of Rise’s most innovative features is its integration of smart contracts for payroll processing. These smart contracts automate the payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
They can be customized to release payments based on specific criteria, such as time worked or milestones achieved.
This automation not only reduces errors but also significantly lowers the operational costs associated with manual payroll management.
Wide Currency Support
Rise supports over 90 local currencies along with over 100 cryptocurrencies thanks to their integrations with some of the largest partners in the cryptocurrency ecosystem such as Arbitrum, Coinbase, Metamask, and more.
And, as we mentioned earlier, the fees on Rise are only $2.5 per transaction, which is much lower than Deel or Bitwage.
Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, Rise offers a flexible and efficient solution to meet your payroll needs.
Related: Best Stablecoin Payroll
2. Deel
Deel brings a sophisticated touch to crypto payroll, catering to a wide array of currencies with finesse.
Their streamlined platform allows employers to orchestrate multinational payroll distributions rapidly and without the fuss typically associated with currency conversion.
With a commitment to simplifying global payroll, Deel integrates seamlessly with businesses of varying scales.
The platform enables payments in over 120 currencies, both fiat and crypto, providing an unmatched level of flexibility.
It holds the key to unlocking international barriers, ensuring prompt and efficient salary disbursal for remote and distributed teams across the globe.
Their platform is particularly attuned to the fluidity of the digital era. By embracing a borderless approach, Deel ensures that employees and contractors receive their earnings in the denominated currency of their choice.
This mitigates issues related to currency volatility while enhancing employee satisfaction through payment personalization.
With robust reporting tools and dedicated support structures, employers can disburse salaries with confidence.
These features culminate in Deel's reputation as a leading platform, facilitating a streamlined payroll process that upholds the dynamic nature of today's workforce.
However, compared to Rise, Deel may fall short in offering the same level of automation and smart contract functionality, which are key features that enhance payroll efficiency and customization
3. Bitwage
As a pioneering platform, Bitwage allows seamless integration of traditional banking systems with cryptocurrency payments. It serves as the nexus for employers to meet the burgeoning demand for cryptocurrency compensation, facilitating a dual-structure payment system.
It empowers businesses to pay employees in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or stablecoins, while also maintaining the option for traditional fiat payouts. Bitwage's platform is intuitive, ensuring an effortless transition for employers embracing this cutting-edge form of salary distribution.
Payroll synchronization across currencies is inherently streamlined.
The versatility of Bitwage lies in its capability to offer both mainstream and alternative payroll solutions. With Bitwage, businesses can effortlessly navigate the intricacies of global compensation structures.
This versatility has helped Bitwage secure its position as a quintessential tool for modern companies that recognize the value and demand of digital currencies among today’s workforce.
Bitwage champions financial inclusion and innovation.
Through its robust infrastructure, Bitwage presents a compelling solution for companies looking to diversify their payroll offerings in 2024. The platform not only supports a forward-thinking workplace but also highlights the convergence of traditional and digital finance.
However, Bitwage might incur higher fees compared to Rise, making it a less cost-effective solution for companies looking to maximize efficiency in their payroll systems.
Main Benefits of Crypto Payroll in 2026
Crypto payroll has become a practical lever for reducing operational drag, cutting costs, and giving global teams more control over how they get paid.
Below is a tactical breakdown of how companies are using crypto payroll in 2026 to improve performance across finance, HR, and ops.
Benefit 1. Pay Anyone, Anywhere Without Waiting on Banks
Traditional cross-border payments depend on correspondent banks, cut-off times, and FX conversions. Crypto rails remove all of that.
Tactical advantages:
- Instantly pay contractors across 190+ countries
- No blocked payments, failed wires, or banking holidays
- Contractors choose their own withdrawal currency (local currency or crypto)
Benefit 2. Compress Payroll Timelines From Days to Minutes
Speed isn’t a “nice to have”, it directly impacts morale, cash flow management, and vendor operations.
What teams achieve:
- Mass payouts in one click
- Tasks → approved → paid automatically
- Real-time settlement instead of 3–5 day bank delays
Benefit 3. Slash Transaction Costs (Especially at Scale)
Crypto payroll reduces fees by eliminating intermediaries and FX spread padding.
2026 fee comparison:
- Rise: $2.50 on L1s, free on L2s
- Deel: ~2% per transaction
- Bitwage: 1%+ depending on corridor
Why it matters:
For a team of 100 contractors paid weekly, switching to crypto rails can cut thousands in monthly transaction costs, freeing budget for hiring, benefits, or expansion.
Benefit 4. Automate Compliance Instead of Fighting It
Crypto payroll doesn't remove compliance, it automates it.
Practical use cases:
- KYC/AML verification built into onboarding
- Automatic generation of compliant agreements
- Tax documentation handled behind the scenes
- Payment routing aligned to local rules
This reduces risk while limiting time spent on manual paperwork.
Benefit 5. Strengthen Security + Reduce Fraud Risk
Every crypto payroll transaction is cryptographically verifiable and tamper-resistant.
Operational impact:
- No more edited invoices or fraudulent bank details
- Payment authorizations tied to verified digital identities
- On-chain records create an immutable audit trail
This gives finance teams higher confidence and fewer reconciliation headaches.
Benefit 6. Attract (and Keep) a Global Workforce That Expects Choice
By 2026, 25% of companies are exploring or using stablecoin payroll (up from 15% in 2023), reflecting a 66.7% growth in adoption across both Web3 and traditional industries.
What workers expect now:
- The option to be paid in stablecoins or local currency
- Faster access to earnings
- More control over how and when they withdraw
Offering this flexibility is now a competitive advantage in hiring.
Benefit 7. Build a More Efficient Compensation Engine
Crypto payroll isn’t just about the payout transaction, it improves the entire compensation workflow.
Efficiency gains include:
- Automated recurring salaries and milestone payments
- Smart contract payouts triggered by completed work
- Real-time financial visibility across global teams
Teams spend less time managing payroll and more time running the business.
How to Set Up Crypto Payroll with Rise
1. Create a Business Account
Visit Riseworks.io and sign up for a business account by providing basic company information, such as your business name, address, and contact details.
After registration, you'll be prompted to complete a verification process to ensure the security and legality of your account, which may involve submitting additional documents or information about your business.
2. Invite and Onboard Your Contractors Compliantly
Next, you’ll invite your contractors to join the Rise platform simply by sending them an email.
From there, your contractors will be onboarded quickly and compliantly by going through KYC checks and identity verification.
They will be given a unique Rise ID, a digital wallet address, and will be able to set up their preferred payment methods for withdrawals.
3. Fund Your Payroll
Rise gives employers the unique ability to fund payroll in either US dollars or USDC stablecoin, so that global employers are not limited by traditional banking systems.
If you choose to fund in USDC, you can use any of our integration partners including Arbitrum, Coinbase, Uniswap, Ethereum, Metamask, Avalanche, Gnosis Safe, Optimism, Polygon, MEW, and Torus.
Once the funds are available, you can easily allocate them to your payroll needs within the Rise platform, setting up automated payments in either fiat or cryptocurrency according to your payroll setup.
4. Set Up Payment Schedules
Within the Rise platform, you can establish payment schedules that fit your business operations, whether that's weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or custom intervals.
This flexibility allows you to align payroll disbursements with your company's cash flow and contractor expectations.
Moreover, Rise offers the capability to automate these payments, ensuring that your contractors receive their earnings on time, every time, without manual intervention, thus reducing administrative workload and enhancing payment accuracy.
5. Contractors Withdraw in Their Preferred Currency (Fiat or Crypto)
Contractors have the freedom to withdraw their earnings in their preferred currency, whether it's fiat or a variety of cryptocurrencies, directly from their Rise digital wallet.
This feature supports the diverse needs of a global workforce, enabling seamless conversion and transfer of funds to their personal accounts without the need for intermediaries.
And that’s all there is to it. You can get started now by visiting Rise and scheduling a demo.
FAQ: Best Crypto Payroll Software 2026
1. What is crypto payroll and how does it work?
Crypto payroll allows companies to pay employees or contractors in stablecoins or cryptocurrencies. Employers fund payroll in USD or crypto, and workers withdraw in their preferred currency, including local fiat, USDC, or USDT.
2. Why are more companies switching to crypto payroll in 2026?
Faster payments, lower transaction fees, and easier international payouts are driving adoption. From 2023 to 2025, interest in stablecoin payroll grew from 15% to 25%, a 66.7% increase across both Web3 and traditional businesses.
3. What makes Rise one of the best crypto payroll platforms in 2026?
Rise offers hybrid fiat-and-crypto payroll, automated compliance, global onboarding in 190+ countries, and $0 fees on Layer 2 payouts, making it one of the fastest and most cost-efficient solutions available.
4. Can employees choose to get paid in local currency instead of crypto?
Yes. With Rise, workers can withdraw in their local currency, stablecoins, or other cryptocurrencies, giving them full control over how they receive their earnings.
5. Is crypto payroll compliant with local tax and employment laws?
Yes, when using a compliant platform. Rise handles KYC, AML, tax forms, contractor agreements, and country-specific rules automatically, ensuring every payment meets local legal requirements.
