USDC Emerges As Top Pick In Booming Crypto Payroll Trend—Survey

Christian Encila

Last Updated: August 7, 2025 3:00 pm

2 mins read

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A growing number of workers are now getting paid in crypto. In 2023, just 3% of those surveyed said part of their salary arrived as digital tokens. By 2024, that share jumped to 9.6%.

This shift comes as blockchain firms and DAOs explore new ways to handle cross-border pay. Reports have disclosed that purely fiat payments fell from 95% to 85% over the same period.

Our mission is to support the long-term success of both our portfolio companies and the broader crypto ecosystem.

One major gap we’ve consistently seen? Reliable, transparent compensation data for crypto teams.

That’s why we created our annual Crypto Compensation Survey – a…

— Pantera Capital (@PanteraCapital) August 6, 2025

Rise In Crypto Payroll

According to Pantera Capital’s 2024 Blockchain Compensation Survey, USDC leads the pack. It now makes up over 60% of all crypto wages.

USDT trails with 28%. Smaller slices go to Solana at 1.9% and Ethereum at 1.3%. These numbers point to stablecoins becoming a regular tool for payroll. That’s a big change from just a year ago.

Many companies are drawn by faster settlement times and lower fees. And workers in regions with shaky banking systems see real benefit.

Reports have disclosed that Asia-based teams and contractors are among the biggest drivers of this trend. They often rely on stablecoins to avoid high transfer costs or strict local rules.

A handful of firms now let staff split pay between cash and crypto. This hybrid model gives people the freedom to hold tokens or spend fiat. It also helps those who want to dollar-cost average into crypto markets.

Pantera’s data shows these arrangements are on the rise, though full-crypto pay remains rare.

Stablecoin Salaries Soar

Circle’s decision to publish monthly reserve reports has strengthened trust in USDC. The company even secured access to US Treasuries for its backing.

That transparency helps explain why more payroll departments pick USDC over other coins. Tax teams also get clearer data when they see monthly reserve disclosures.

BTCUSD trading at $116,703 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView

Behind the scenes, better payroll platforms and accounting tools have made on-chain payments simpler. Real-time rails now link digital wallets to corporate treasuries. And more firms are building internal processes to track taxable events.

Based on reports from industry insiders, this is only the beginning. As more crypto-native companies formalize their operations, they’ll need reliable ways to pay people.

And wider acceptance by regulators could give traditional firms the confidence to join in.

Featured image from Young Platform, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley!

So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).

Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.

Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.

Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.

Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects.

So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.

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