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. This integration embeds USDC and USDT salary payment capabilities into enterprise workflows, leveraging Bitwage's infrastructure that serves 90,000+ workers and freelancers by converting fiat salaries into stablecoins via Circle and Tether platforms.
The combined platform eliminates ACH processing delays, weekend cutoffs, and cross-border foreign exchange fees, offering real-time settlements. Paystand's existing client base of 1,000 enterprises in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and logistics will gain access to this capability. While Bitwage historically supported Bitcoin and Ethereum, the merged entity will prioritize layer-2 solutions and Solana for faster settlement, enabling payroll transactions outside traditional banking hours.
Stablecoin transfer volume reached $9 trillion in 2025, nearly half of Visa's annual throughput, with USDC clearing $2.3 trillion in Q3 alone. Regulatory developments, including support from the Trump administration and SEC guidance on stablecoin custody, are fostering adoption. The acquisition aligns with broader trends, such as Visa's $1 billion purchase of Bridge and growing institutional use cases like BlackRock's BUIDL fund.
Paystand's co-founders emphasized that stablecoins are transitioning from crypto curiosity to regulated money movement, with the integration rolling out gradually across corridors. The crypto payroll market is projected to reach $6.38 billion by 2033, highlighting the potential for reduced remittance fees and enhanced cross-border efficiency.
