Building a global remote team has become essential for startup success.

However, paying international contractors and full-time employees remains one of the biggest operational challenges companies face today.

Traditional payment systems create significant barriers: high fees, slow processing times, complex compliance requirements, and limited currency options.

These outdated methods weren't designed for the modern distributed workforce.

At Rise, we've built a solution that eliminates these barriers.

Our platform enables startups to pay remote teams in 190+ countries using both traditional currencies and cryptocurrencies, while handling all compliance requirements automatically.

With over $700 million already processed through our system, we're helping startups transform their global payment operations.

This guide provides a complete framework for managing international payments, from understanding core challenges to implementing solutions that scale with your growth.

Key Takeaways

• Global payments demand both compliance and flexibility - Balance legal requirements with team payment preferences for contractors and employees
• Modern platforms eliminate traditional payment barriers - Enable instant payouts, automated compliance, and seamless currency conversion
• Offering multiple payment methods attracts top talent - Support both traditional and cryptocurrency options to accommodate all preferences
• Automation prevents costly compliance penalties - Proper worker classification and tax reporting save thousands in potential fines
• Scalable infrastructure supports long-term growth - Choose solutions that work for 2 or 2,000 remote employees without system changes

Startup Challenges When Paying Remote Teams

Currency and Payment Complexities

International payments involve multiple currencies with constantly changing exchange rates.

Traditional banks typically charge 3-5% in fees and take several days to process transfers.

• For startups managing tight budgets, these costs and delays create serious cash flow challenges when paying both contractors and full-time employees.

Digital currencies offer an alternative.

Stablecoins like USDC and USDT enable near-instant transfers with minimal fees.

However, not all remote employees are comfortable with cryptocurrency, and some countries restrict digital currency use. This creates demand for platforms that support both payment types.

Compliance and Legal Requirements

International compliance represents the most complex aspect of global payments.

Each country maintains unique tax laws, labor laws, and reporting requirements.
In California, for example, misclassifying an employee as a contractor can result in penalties up to $25,000 per worker.

• Tax documentation adds another layer.

Companies must issue appropriate forms (1099s in the US, W8-BENs for international contractors), maintain detailed records, and ensure every payment meets local labor laws.

Without proper systems, compliance becomes overwhelming, especially when managing both contractors and full-time employees across multiple jurisdictions.

Administrative and HR Overhead

Manual payment management quickly becomes unmanageable as teams grow.

HR departments often struggle with tracking payments across time zones, processing invoices, and maintaining accurate records for remote employees.

Many startups spend 20-30 hours monthly just managing payroll for remote teams.

This time investment diverts HR resources from core business activities that drive growth, such as talent acquisition and employee development.

Essential Features for Global Payment Solutions

Geographic Coverage and Currency Support

Your payment solution must work wherever your talent lives, whether they're contractors or full-time employees.

At Rise, we support payments to 190+ countries, ensuring geographic limitations never restrict your hiring decisions.

Currency options matter equally.

We support 90+ local and 100+ crypto currencies, allowing team members to receive payments in their preferred format.

This flexibility helps attract and retain international talent across all employment types.

Payment Method Flexibility

Today's remote workers expect payment options that match their needs.

Some employees prefer traditional bank transfers for stability, while contractors might choose cryptocurrency for speed and accessibility.

Our platform allows you to fund payroll in USD, USDC, or USDT, while your remote employees and contractors choose their preferred withdrawal method.

• This approach optimizes your treasury management while meeting diverse team needs.

Compliance and Security Features

Effective global payment solutions must automate compliance with local labor laws.

Your platform should handle identity verification, contract generation, and tax reporting across all jurisdictions for both contractors and employees.

We've integrated comprehensive compliance features throughout our platform.

From automated Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to year-end tax forms, we ensure every payment meets regulatory requirements.
Our secure on-chain professional IDs add an extra verification layer for all team members.

How Rise Enables Startups to Pay Remote Teams Globally

Our Global Contractor Pay Solution

We designed Global Contractor Pay specifically for startups building distributed teams.

Our hybrid payment routing system combines traditional and digital currencies for maximum flexibility and efficiency.

Getting started is simple.

Onboard contractors in minutes through our platform, which handles identity verification and tax documentation automatically.

• Fund your payroll using your preferred method, then execute mass payouts instantly.

Whether paying 2 or 2,000 contractors, our system manages the complexity seamlessly.
Smart contract automation enhances efficiency further.

Set up recurring payments for regular contractors or milestone-based payments for projects.
These automated systems reduce HR administrative work while ensuring timely payments.

Pricing remains straightforward at $50 per contractor monthly or 3% of payment volume.

Our Agent of Record (AOR) Service

For companies seeking maximum compliance protection, our Agent of Record service provides essential legal insulation.

We serve as the official employer for your contractors, assuming legal responsibility while they provide services to your company.

This structure eliminates classification risks entirely.

We handle all compliance checks with local labor laws, maintain contractor agreements, and issue required tax documents.
The service proves especially valuable in high-risk jurisdictions with strict contractor regulations.

AOR includes all standard features plus enhanced legal protection at $400 per contractor monthly, a worthwhile investment compared to potential penalty costs.

Our Employer of Record (EOR) Service

Beyond contractors, many startups need to hire full-time employees globally.

Our EOR service enables you to hire remote employees without establishing local entities, saving significant time and legal complexity.

We serve as the legal employer for your full-time employees, handling all aspects of employment including contracts, benefits administration, and compliance with local labor laws.

This allows you to offer competitive employment packages while we manage the HR complexities.

• Starting at $399 per employee monthly, our EOR service currently supports the US, UK, and Canada, with expansion, planned by end of 2025.

This solution is ideal for startups wanting to convert high-performing contractors to full-time employees or hire senior talent requiring employment benefits.

Our Technology Infrastructure

Rise takes advantage of modern blockchain technology to create efficient, transparent payment systems for both contractors and employees.

Unlike traditional providers, we've built infrastructure designed for the future of work.

Our platform processes payments through secure smart contracts, creating permanent transaction records.

Rise ID, our on-chain identity system, verifies every team member.

Integration remains simple regardless of your treasury setup.

Whether using traditional bank accounts or digital wallets, our system accommodates your preferences.

Remote employees and contractors enjoy similar flexibility when withdrawing funds.

Conclusion

Paying remote teams globally is no longer a complex challenge, it's a solved problem with the right tools.

Rise provides the infrastructure modern startups need to manage international payments efficiently and compliantly for both contractors and full-time employees.

Through our Global Contractor Pay, AOR, and EOR services, we offer complete solutions for every employment type.

The future belongs to companies that embrace global talent without HR complexity.

Don't let outdated payment systems limit your growth.

Book a demo with us today and join hundreds of startups already paying their remote teams with confidence.

FAQs:

1. How quickly can I start paying remote teams globally with Rise?

You can begin payments within minutes of account creation. Contractors and remote employees complete verification in under 10 minutes. Once funded, crypto withdrawals process instantly while bank transfers take 1-2 business days.

2. Which countries does Rise support for contractor and employee payments?

We support payments in 190+ countries for contractors. For full-time employees through our EOR service, we currently operate in the US, UK, and Canada. Our platform handles local compliance and currency conversion automatically.

3. How does Rise handle compliance with labor laws and worker classification?

We perform automated classification checks ensuring proper categorization per local labor laws. Our Agent of Record service provides protection for contractor relationships, while our EOR service handles all employment law compliance for full-time employees. We manage all tax reporting and documentation requirements.

4. Can remote employees and contractors choose between traditional and cryptocurrency payments?

Yes. After you fund payroll in USD, USDC, or USDT, all team members can withdraw using their preferred method, local currency to bank accounts or cryptocurrency to digital wallets. We support 90+ fiat currencies and 100+ cryptocurrencies.

5. What costs are involved with Rise's global payment services?

Global Contractor Pay costs $50 per contractor monthly or 3% of payment volume. Agent of Record service is $400 per contractor monthly. Our EOR service for full-time employees starts at $399 per employee monthly. We offer startup and non-profit discounts. Transparent pricing includes all processing and compliance features without hidden fees.

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