Why More Companies are Paying in USDC in 2026
Stablecoin payroll built for modern, borderless teams
USDC combines the predictability of USD with the speed of blockchain settlement. For employers, that means payroll that clears in minutes instead of days. For workers, it means faster access to funds and more control over how they’re used.
Why companies are switching to USDC payroll in 2026:
- Faster settlement: Blockchain payments settle near-instantly versus 2–5 business days for international wires.
- Lower costs: No intermediary bank fees or hidden FX spreads.
- Global accessibility: Workers can receive USDC without relying on local banking infrastructure.
- Transparency & trust: USDC is fully backed by cash and short-duration U.S. Treasuries and published monthly attestations by Circle.
Market context (2025–2026):
- USDC is consistently one of the top two stablecoins by circulation, with tens of billions of dollars in supply and billions in monthly on-chain transaction volume.
- Stablecoins now account for a significant share of on-chain payment activity, increasingly used for payroll, B2B settlements, and treasury operations rather than speculation.
USDC Payroll From the Worker’s Perspective
Getting paid in USDC doesn’t lock workers into crypto, it gives them options.
Contractors and employees can:
- Receive USDC on supported networks including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Polygon
- Hold USDC as a dollar-denominated balance
- Swap to other cryptocurrencies
- Cash out to local fiat using their preferred off-ramps
This flexibility is especially valuable in emerging markets, where access to USD banking remains limited but stablecoin adoption continues to grow.
Rise + Circle: Enterprise-Grade USDC Payroll Infrastructure
Rise integrates directly with Circle’s USDC infrastructure, abstracting away blockchain complexity while preserving the benefits of stablecoin settlement.
What this means for your team:
- Fund payroll in USD or USDC
- Send compliant USDC payouts globally
- Automate KYC, AML, contracts, and tax documentation
- Maintain clean audit trails for accounting and investors
Whether you’re paying a developer in Serbia, a designer in Argentina, or a full-time employee in Canada, Rise handles currency routing, compliance checks, and payroll execution behind the scenes.
You don’t manage wallets. You don’t touch smart contracts. Your finance team uses a familiar dashboard while your workforce benefits from stablecoin speed.
How to Set Up USDC 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 and Employees Compliantly
Invite workers via email. Rise automatically:
- Verifies identity (KYC)
- Screens for AML risk
- Generates country-specific agreements
- Issues each worker a secure Rise ID
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. Workers Withdraw in Their Preferred Currency (Fiat or Crypto)
Contractors and employees 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.
Full Compliance, Zero Hassle
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Crypto payroll doesn’t mean skipping compliance. In fact, it demands more rigor.
Rise handles:
- Contractor classification workflows
- Localized contracts and tax forms
- Identity verification and AML screening
- On-chain auditability for every payment
For full-time employees, Rise’s Employer of Record (EOR) solution allows you to offer compliant employment, benefits, and salaries in fiat, USDC, or a hybrid of both without opening local entities.
Why Choose Rise
Rise is built specifically for global teams that need real payroll, not wallet-to-wallet workarounds.
What sets Rise apart in 2026:
- Native USDC payroll with Circle partnership
- Coverage in 190+ countries
- Support for employees, contractors, DAOs, and agencies
- SOC 2–certified security and enterprise-grade controls
- A platform designed for CFOs, HR, and Ops, not blockchain engineers
Rise combines the compliance depth of traditional payroll with the efficiency of stablecoins.
Ready to Pay Your Team in USDC?
USDC payroll is no longer experimental, it’s becoming standard infrastructure for global companies.
Rise will show you how to:
- Fund payroll in fiat or USDC
- Onboard a global team in days
- Stay compliant across borders
- Reduce costs and payment delays
Book a demo and see how to run stablecoin payroll in minutes, not months.
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