USDC Payroll Goes Mainstream: Paystand Acquires Bitwage

Paystand, a B2B payments platform processing $20 billion annually, has acquired Bitwage, a crypto payroll service that has handled over $400 million in digital wages across 200 countries since 2014.

The acquisition integrates USDC and USDT salary payment capabilities into enterprise workflows, as 2025 stablecoin transfer volume reached $9 trillion—nearly half of Visa’s annual throughput.

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Crypto Payroll Infrastructure Integration

Bitwage’s infrastructure serves 90,000+ workers and freelancers by converting fiat salaries into stablecoins via the Circle and Tether platforms. Paystand’s existing client base of 1,000 enterprises—spanning manufacturing, technology, and logistics—will gain access to this capability. The combined platform eliminates ACH processing delays, weekend cutoffs, and cross-border foreign exchange fees associated with traditional payroll systems.

The platform utilizes blockchain-agnostic infrastructure. While Bitwage has historically supported Bitcoin and Ethereum, the merged entity will prioritize layer-2 solutions and Solana for faster settlement. Companies can initiate payroll transactions outside traditional banking hours, with employees receiving USDC for conversion to local currency via exchanges or digital banking services. Bitwage reports no security incidents during its 11-year operating history.

Stablecoin Market Growth and Regulatory Environment

Chainalysis data shows stablecoin transfers grew 87% year-over-year to $9 trillion in 2025, with USDC clearing $2.3 trillion in Q3. EY’s CFO survey indicates that 87% view stablecoins as providing a competitive advantage, up from 61% in 2024. BlackRock’s BUIDL fund and Mastercard’s USDC settlement programs have introduced on-chain dollar transactions to institutional operations.

The acquisition occurs amid regulatory developments in the United States. The Trump administration has expressed support for cryptocurrency initiatives, while the SEC has provided guidance on stablecoin custody requirements. Visa completed a $1 billion acquisition of Bridge, a stablecoin platform, earlier this year.

Cross-Border Payment Applications

Companies can transfer USDC on weekends, while international workers avoid remittance fees typically ranging from 3% to 12% on conventional platforms. Japanese enterprises can integrate JPYC after the launch of the All Banking System API gateway.

The crypto payroll market includes platforms such as Deel and Rippling, both of which offer cryptocurrency payment options. According to DataIntelo, the market is projected to reach $6.38 billion by 2033.