“Can stablecoin-funded payroll become the default rail for paying a global remote workforce?”
Founded in 2014 as one of the earliest Bitcoin payroll services, Bitwage evolved from a niche crypto salary tool into a stablecoin-funded global payroll and payouts platform serving 90,000+ workers across nearly 200 countries. Over ten years it added W2 crypto benefits, virtual USD/EUR/GBP receiving accounts, and API-based payouts for HRIS/EOR partners. In November 2025 it was acquired by Paystand Group, positioning it as the cross-border payroll arm of a broader B2B payments infrastructure company.
Bitwage processes payments through Bitwage merchant checkout (self-operated).
Bitwage uses Bitwage (self-operated), Stellar / USDC Stellar (settlement rail) and Gemini (crypto custody & exchange) for FX and cross-border payouts.
Bitwage's payroll is powered by Bitwage (self-operated).
Bitwage's crypto products run on Gemini and Stellar / USDC (Circle).
Bitwage integrates with ADP, Paychex, Paycom, Gusto and Trinet.
The Embedded Finance Index 2026 maps 5 layers in Bitwage's stack: Payments / PSP (Bitwage merchant checkout (self-operated)); Payroll (Bitwage (self-operated)); FX & payouts (Bitwage (self-operated), Stellar / USDC Stellar (settlement rail) and Gemini (crypto custody & exchange)); Crypto (Gemini and Stellar / USDC (Circle)); Accounting (ADP, Paychex, Paycom, Gusto and 1 other).
Bitwage was founded by Jonathan Chester and John Lindsay and is founded in 2014, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, USA.
Bitwage has raised $760k+ (seed disclosed) in total (latest round: Acquired by Paystand (2025)).
Get a read on where your own stack stands against Bitwage and the rest of its category — what they built versus bought, which providers they use, and where the gaps in your own strategy and competitive set actually are.