Paying a designer in Brazil or a developer in India by bank wire can take days and lose a few percent to fees and exchange rates. Stablecoins like USDC and EURC arrive in seconds, at any hour. Here is how it works, what to agree first, and what to keep for your records.

Hiring people in other countries is normal now; paying them is still slow. An international bank wire can take one to five business days, pass through several banks, and lose part of the amount to fees and the exchange-rate margin before it lands.

Stablecoins are a different route. USDC (digital dollars) and EURC (digital euros) move between wallets in seconds, any day of the week, and the contractor receives the exact amount you sent. This guide covers when that makes sense, how to set it up, and what to watch.

Why teams pay in stablecoins

  • A payment arrives in seconds, at 3 a.m. or on a Sunday, with no cut-off times.
  • The amount arrives whole, because no intermediary banks take a cut on the way. On Base, network costs are cents, and Defied covers them on supported actions.
  • Many contractors outside the euro area and the US prefer to be paid in dollars. USDC gives them dollars without a US bank account.
  • The same steps work for a contractor in Lisbon, Lagos or Manila.

It isn't right for everyone. If your contractor is in the euro area and wants euros in their bank, a SEPA Instant transfer is already fast and usually free.

Agree the terms first

Before the first payment, agree in writing:

  • The currency: USDC or EURC, and that the invoice amount is in dollars or euros to match.
  • The network: for Defied, Base. Tokens sent on the wrong network can be lost.
  • The receiving address, copied from the contractor's wallet, or their Defied username.
  • Who pays what: sending to another wallet is free in Defied; if the contractor later moves money to their bank, their provider may charge for it.

Put it in the contract or on the invoice, so both sides have the same record.

Your first payment, step by step

  1. Fund your wallet. Hold USDC or EURC in Defied. You can top up from your bank by SEPA with a personal IBAN, where available, or swap between dollars and euros in the app.
  2. Add the contractor. Paste their address, or enter their Defied username. Check the first and last characters of an address against what they sent you.
  3. Send a small test. A few dollars or euros first. Ask the contractor to confirm it arrived.
  4. Send the full amount. Confirm the recipient, amount and token on the review screen.
  5. Share the receipt. Every payment has a transaction link on a public block explorer. Send it to the contractor and attach it to the invoice.

Records and taxes

Paying in stablecoins doesn't change who you're paying or why, so the usual paperwork still applies: a contract, an invoice, and proof of payment. For each payment, keep:

  • the invoice and its number
  • the amount, token and network
  • the date and the transaction link
  • the value in your own currency on that date, if your accountant asks for it

How contractor payments, VAT and payments in crypto-assets are treated depends on the country of your business and of the contractor. Ask your accountant before you switch. Our guide to crypto taxes in Europe covers the general picture for individuals.

Risks to check

  • Payments are final. Nobody can reverse a stablecoin transfer, so a wrong address means lost money. Test first, and copy rather than type.
  • Stablecoins aren't bank deposits. USDC and EURC are issued by Circle and backed by reserves, but they carry no deposit guarantee, and in stress they can briefly trade away from their peg.
  • Cashing out costs something. The contractor may pay a fee and an exchange rate to turn USDC into their local currency.
  • Local rules differ. Some countries restrict or tax crypto-assets in ways that affect the contractor.

Read the risk disclosure before you start.

Using Defied for your business today

Today, businesses use Defied with the same account as people: you hold dollars and euros in a wallet only you control, pay contractors and suppliers in USDC or EURC, swap between them, and do it all from the web app on your desktop. See what's possible on our business page.

Company verification and a dedicated business account are on the way. Email hello@defied.money to hear when they open.

Sources

Start with Defied

Defied is a wallet for EURC and USDC that only you control. Hold, send and swap them, and lend in public onchain markets at variable rates, without a bank. Get the app for iPhone, or use it in your browser.

This article is for informational purposes only. Defied is a non-custodial software interface and does not provide financial, tax or legal advice. Please read our risk disclosure and terms of use before using the Services.

Last updated: 2026-11-01

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay a contractor in USDC or EURC?

Yes, if the contractor agrees to it and it fits the rules where you both are. You send USDC or EURC to their wallet address or Defied username, and it arrives in seconds. Agree the currency, the network and the amount in your contract or invoice first.

What does the contractor need to receive stablecoins?

A wallet that accepts USDC or EURC on the same network you send on, such as Base. That can be a Defied account or any other wallet that supports the token and the network.

What records should I keep?

The invoice, the amount and currency paid, the date, and the transaction link, which is a public record that the payment arrived. Many accountants also ask for the value in your own currency on the payment date.

What happens if I send to the wrong address?

Stablecoin transfers can't be reversed by a bank or by Defied. Copy addresses rather than typing them, send a small test payment first, and check the network before every new recipient.

Can my business open a business account in Defied?

Not yet. Today you use Defied with your own account. Business verification and a dedicated business account are coming, with no date set yet.

This article is for general information only and is not investment, legal or tax advice. Any rates mentioned are third-party protocol or market rates at the time of writing; they change constantly and are not offered or guaranteed by Defied. Stablecoins are not bank deposits and are not covered by deposit guarantee schemes. Defied is a non-custodial software interface and does not hold customer assets. Read the Risk Disclosure before using the service.