Best Web3 payroll software in 2026
Web3 teams rarely pay people the way a normal company does. The money usually sits in a stablecoin treasury, the people include employees at a labs company, contractors and program contributors, and many of them also hold token grants. The six providers below each solve part of that, so start with the use case closest to yours.
Best Web3 payroll by use case
Our overall pick is Toku. If your situation is narrower, one of the others may fit better.
Best overall
Toku
Employees abroad, contractors, contributor programs and token grants from one platform, funded from a stablecoin treasury.
Already on Deel
Deel
Fund from a stablecoin treasury and let employees in the US and Europe take part of their pay in stablecoins.
Crypto-native payouts
Request Finance
Pay salaries, invoices and token vestings in USDC, USDT or DAI with no fee on stablecoin payouts.
On this page:
- Best by use case
- Comparison table
- How Web3 teams pay people
- How it works by country
- Provider reviews
- FAQ
- Cite this page
- Methodology and disclosure
Web3 payroll providers compared
Published list prices on the date checked, per person per month unless shown otherwise. "Not stated" means we couldn't find it on the provider's own site. Scroll sideways on a phone.
| Provider | Fund from stablecoin treasury | Pays out in | Employees | Contractors and contributors | Token vesting | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TokuOur pick | Yes: USDC or USDT treasury | USDC, USDT, local currency | Yes: EOR and global payroll, 100+ countries | Yes: contractors and agent of record for programs | Yes: grants through vesting, withholding and distribution | EOR $599; contractors $19; AOR $149; token admin $1,200/month |
| Deel | Yes, since January 2026 | Stablecoin share for employees; DLUSD for contractors | Yes: EOR in 130+ countries; stablecoin share in US and the Eurozone | Yes, 200+ countries | Partly: tax and payroll reporting | EOR $599; contractors $49; +$10 per employee for stablecoin pay |
| Request Finance | Yes: it is a stablecoin business account | USDC, USDT, DAI (26 networks listed); bank payouts | Payments only: no EOR; employer enters deductions | Yes, through invoices | Partly: pays token vestings | From $50/month with payroll; no fee on stablecoin payouts |
| Rise | Yes: USD, USDC or USDT | USDC, USDT, 60+ cryptocurrencies, local currency | Partly: owned EOR entities in US, UK, Canada | Yes, 190+ countries | Not stated | EOR $399; contractors $49; AOR $299 |
| Franklin | Yes: payroll and taxes funded in stablecoins | USD, stablecoins and crypto on Ethereum, Optimism, Base and more | US W-2 payroll only | Yes: US and global | Partly: grant and token distributions | Starter $50/month; Premium $75 + $12 per person |
| Bitwage | Yes: crypto-funded payroll | USDC, USDT, DAI, cUSD, BTC, ETH | Payout layer only: no EOR or tax withholding | Yes | Not stated | $0 plan with deposit fees; Premium from $15.99 |
How Web3 organizations pay people
A Web3 organization often pays three kinds of people from one treasury, and each has different rules. Getting the structure right comes before choosing a tool.
Crypto and stablecoins aren't money. In the US, the IRS treats digital assets as property, not currency, for tax purposes (IRS, Digital assets). In the UK, HMRC "does not consider cryptoassets to be currency or money" (HMRC CRYPTO10100), and the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 confirms that digital things can be personal property in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. So salaries are set in local currency, while stablecoins and tokens are paid and granted as property.
Employees
People who work like employees need to be employed locally: through your own company, or through an employer of record that arranges it where you have none. Their salary is set in local currency, and tax and social contributions are withheld and paid in local currency. They can opt in to receive some or all of their net pay in a stablecoin such as USDC, with the setup confirmed for each country. For hiring abroad, compare the best crypto EOR providers.
Contractors
Independent contractors invoice you, and you collect their tax forms before paying. Paying them in stablecoins is usually simpler than paying employees, because contractor fees aren't wages, but the payment still has to be recorded at its value when paid. Treating someone who works like an employee as a contractor creates tax and employment risk, whatever currency you use. Here's how to pay contractors in crypto, step by step.
Contributors and program participants
Ambassador, creator, contributor and validator programs can involve hundreds of small payments to people in many countries. An agent-of-record service gives these programs a legal layer: it holds the agreements, collects tax details and makes the payments.
Token grants
Token grants are compensation too. Grant setup, vesting schedules, withholding at vest and distribution are separate work from payroll, and running them in the same platform avoids reconciling two systems. In the US, someone paid in virtual currency for services recognizes ordinary income "whether or not you perform the services as an employee" (IRS digital asset FAQ, Q57). That guidance doesn't address vesting schedules, so get tax advice on how and when your grants are taxed. Compare the best token grant administration platforms.
Paying a Web3 team in stablecoins, country by country
Yes, you can pay your team in stablecoins with Toku, whether they're employees, contractors or token holders.
How it works in the US
Yes, you can pay your team in the US in stablecoins with Toku. Employees' salaries are set in US dollars, with withholding, FICA and FUTA paid in dollars, and they opt in to receive net pay in USDC. Contractors invoice and are paid in USDC or USDT after you collect a Form W-9, and token grants are tracked through vesting with withholding calculated at each event. The IRS says anyone paid in digital assets for services recognizes ordinary income "whether or not you perform the services as an employee" (IRS digital asset FAQ, Q57).
How the US treats crypto and stablecoins
The IRS says: "For U.S. tax purposes, digital assets are considered property, not currency." It lists stablecoins among them (IRS, Digital assets, page last reviewed or updated September 2, 2026). It has treated virtual currency as property since Notice 2014-21 in 2014, so paying someone in USDC is paying them in property worth its US-dollar value on the day.
Payment stablecoins also have their own federal statute. The GENIUS Act (Public Law 119-27, signed July 18, 2025) defines a payment stablecoin as a digital asset "that is, or is designed to be, used as a means of payment or settlement", whose issuer must redeem it for a fixed amount of monetary value and represents that it will keep a stable value. Its section 17 amends federal securities and commodities law so that a payment stablecoin issued by a permitted issuer is not a security or a commodity, and under section 20 the Act takes effect 18 months after enactment or 120 days after final regulations, whichever comes first.
Toku's US stablecoin payroll compliance guide covers the federal and state rules in more depth.
Toku handles the stablecoin payout, compliance and reporting (Toku, Stablecoin payroll). It describes itself as a "pioneering token payroll provider": founded in 2020, it started with token payroll in its first year and says it was built stablecoin-first rather than adding crypto payouts on top of fiat rails (Toku, About). Talk to us to learn how it works for your team.
Any other country
Toku supports compliant payroll and payouts in 100+ countries, and wherever it offers stablecoin pay the structure is the same: the salary is set and taxes are withheld in local currency, and the employee opts in to receive their net pay, or part of it, in USDC or USDT. Contractors invoice in local currency or US dollars and are paid in USDC or USDT to their wallet, with the local tax and reporting steps. Central bank, foreign exchange and reporting rules differ, so Toku confirms how it works for each country and worker. Talk to us about where your team is.
Toku publishes country guides too, such as whether you can pay in crypto and stablecoins in India, and a list of which countries let you pay entirely in crypto and stablecoins.
Toku handles the stablecoin payout, compliance and reporting (Toku, Stablecoin payroll). It describes itself as a "pioneering token payroll provider": founded in 2020, it started with token payroll in its first year and says it was built stablecoin-first rather than adding crypto payouts on top of fiat rails (Toku, About). Talk to us to learn how it works for your team.
The providers, one by one
1. TokuOur pick
Best for: Web3 companies with employees abroad, contributor programs and token grants
Toku covers the three groups a Web3 organization usually pays. Employees abroad are hired through its employer of record in 100+ countries, contractors through contractor management, and contributor, ambassador or validator programs through its agent-of-record service. Payroll can be funded from a stablecoin treasury and paid in USDC, USDT or local currency, and token grants are administered from setup to distribution.
- Treasury funding
- Fund payroll from a stablecoin treasury, approve amounts and employee elections, then settle USDC or USDT payouts
- Who it pays
- Employees through EOR or global payroll, contractors, and contributor, ambassador, creator or validator programs through an agent of record
- Pay mix
- Fully or partly in stablecoins, the rest in local currency, set by worker, country or entity
- Token grants
- RTAs, TPAs, RTUs, token options, TARs, warrants and phantom grants, from setup through vesting, withholding, distribution and reporting
- Existing payroll
- A stablecoin API for ADP, Workday, UKG or Gusto
- Published pricing
- EOR $599, contractors $19, agent of record $149 per person per month; token grant administration $1,200 per month for up to 49 stakeholders; stablecoin payroll included in every tier
Strengths
- Pays employees, contractors and program contributors from one platform
- Token grant administration alongside payroll, so vesting and withholding don't live in a separate system
- Says it administers token grants for 100+ clients, naming Polygon, NEAR, Protocol Labs, Parity, EigenLayer and Matter Labs
Watch out for
- Its product pages name USDC and USDT only, not BTC or ETH
- Payout options vary by country and are confirmed per hire
- Onboarding typically takes 1 to 1.5 months
Sources (checked November 8, 2026): Toku about · Toku EOR · Toku pricing · Stablecoin payroll · Contractor management · Token grant administration
2. Deel
Best for: Web3 companies already on Deel that mainly need employees paid partly in stablecoins
Deel is a global HR and payroll platform with its own EOR entities in 130+ countries. Since January 2026 employers can fund payroll from a stablecoin treasury, employees in the US and the Eurozone (at launch; 25 countries, per Deel) can take a portion of net salary in stablecoins, and contractors can hold Deel's DLUSD balance.
- Treasury funding
- Employers can fund global payroll directly from a stablecoin treasury (since January 2026)
- Who it pays
- EOR and payroll employees; contractors in 200+ countries
- Pay mix
- Employees: a portion of net salary in a dollar- or euro-backed stablecoin. Contractors: DLUSD balance with crypto withdrawals.
- Token grants
- Tracks, taxes and reports token grants in 90+ countries; doesn't hold or distribute tokens
- Published pricing
- EOR $599; contractors $49; stablecoin salary payouts $10 per participating employee per month
Strengths
- Large EOR footprint
- Treasury funding and employee stablecoin pay in one HR platform
- Token grant tax reporting in 90+ countries
Watch out for
- Employee stablecoin pay is a portion of net salary, in the US and the Eurozone at launch (25 countries, per Deel)
- Doesn't state token vesting or distribution
- Stablecoin functions run through third-party partners
Sources (checked November 8, 2026): Deel stablecoin salary payouts · Deel stablecoin wallet · Deel pricing · Deel EOR · Deel equity and tokens
3. Request Finance
Best for: Crypto-native teams paying salaries, invoices and token vestings straight from a stablecoin account
Request Finance is a business account for stablecoin and fiat payments with invoicing, bills and payroll. It pays salaries, bonuses and token vestings in USDC, USDT or DAI on its supported networks (26 listed), or converts to local currency for bank payouts in 190+ countries, and charges no fee on stablecoin payouts. It isn't an employer of record, so taxes are entered by the employer.
- Treasury funding
- Payments go out from the company's stablecoin and fiat business account
- Who it pays
- Employees and contractors; contractors through invoices
- Pay mix
- A salary can be set in USD and paid in USDC, or paid from crypto to a bank account in local currency
- Token grants
- Pays token vestings; grant and vesting schedule administration isn't stated
- Published pricing
- Starter $50 per month (includes payroll), Growth $300, Pro $600; no processing fee on stablecoin payouts; bank payouts 1% or 0.5% plus transfer fees
Strengths
- No fee on stablecoin payouts
- 26 supported networks listed
- Invoices, bills and payroll in one account
Watch out for
- Not an employer of record, and tax deductions are entered by hand
- Payroll isn't on the free plan
- Business verification (KYB) before going live
Sources (checked November 8, 2026): Request Finance · Pricing · How to run payroll · Supported networks
4. Rise
Best for: Teams whose contributors want to choose among many crypto assets
Rise pays employees and contractors in local currency, stablecoins or other crypto, funded in USD, USDC or USDT. Workers can split pay across local currency, USDC, USDT and 60+ cryptocurrencies, withdrawn on networks such as Arbitrum, Base, Ethereum, Optimism and Polygon. Its owned EOR entities are in the US, UK and Canada.
- Treasury funding
- Fund payroll in USD, USDC or USDT
- Who it pays
- EOR employees (owned entities in the US, UK and Canada) and contractors in 190+ countries
- Pay mix
- Split across local currency, stablecoins and 60+ cryptocurrencies (its pricing page says 100+)
- Token grants
- Not stated
- Published pricing
- EOR $399; contractors $49; agent of record $299; no separate stablecoin fee
Strengths
- Says workers can choose among 60+ cryptocurrencies
- Lowest published EOR price of the six ($399)
- Handles W-8BEN and 1099 forms
Watch out for
- Owned EOR entities in three countries so far
- Some US states don't support crypto transactions, per its help center
- No token grant administration stated
Sources (checked November 8, 2026): Rise homepage · Rise pricing · Rise EOR · Rise EOR pricing · Stablecoin payroll · US state availability · Licensing
5. Franklin
Best for: US-based Web3 startups running W-2 payroll with part of pay in crypto
Franklin is a hybrid fiat and crypto finance platform. It runs US payroll with USD, stablecoins and crypto in the same payment, automates US tax withholding and filings, can take payroll funding (including taxes) in stablecoins, and processes grant and token distributions on-chain. Outside the US it pays contractors only.
- Treasury funding
- Payroll, including taxes, can be funded in stablecoins; non-custodial treasury
- Who it pays
- US W-2 employees; US and global contractors
- Token grants
- Grant and token distributions on-chain or by direct deposit ($15 per person paid per month); vesting administration isn't stated
- Published pricing
- Starter $50 per month for 3 or fewer people; Premium $75 per month plus $12 per person paid
Strengths
- Full US payroll tax with crypto in the same run
- Non-custodial: Franklin says it can't move your funds
- Low prices for small teams
Watch out for
- No employees outside the US
- Specific tokens aren't named on its main pages
- Distributions only, no vesting administration stated
Sources (checked November 8, 2026): Franklin pricing · Crypto payroll · Multichain payments · Grant and token distribution · FAQ
6. Bitwage
Best for: Adding crypto payouts to a payroll provider you already use
Bitwage converts and sends the crypto share of pay while your existing payroll provider (such as ADP, Gusto or TriNet) keeps running wages and tax. Employers can fund in crypto, and workers can take USDC, USDT, DAI, cUSD, BTC or ETH. It was acquired by Paystand Group in November 2025.
- Treasury funding
- Fund payroll with crypto; Bitwage converts it
- Who it pays
- Employees (alongside your payroll provider) and contractors
- Token grants
- Not stated
- Published pricing
- $0 plan with 1% on local currency deposits and 2% on stablecoin deposits; Premium $15.99 per month for up to 2 workers plus $7.99 per extra worker
Strengths
- Free plan
- BTC and ETH as well as four stablecoins
- Works with ADP, Gusto and TriNet
Watch out for
- Not a payroll engine or EOR
- USDC isn't available to US users
- Percentage fees add up at higher salaries
Sources (checked November 8, 2026): Bitwage homepage · Bitwage business pricing · Fees · Employees vs contractors · Paystand acquisition
Frequently asked questions
What is Web3 payroll?
Web3 payroll is payroll and contributor payments for blockchain companies, foundations and DAOs. It is usually funded from a stablecoin treasury and paid in a mix of local currency, stablecoins and sometimes tokens, with the same tax withholding and records any payroll needs.
What is the best Web3 payroll software?
Our pick is Toku, because it pays employees abroad through an employer of record, contractors and contributor programs through contractor management and an agent of record, and administers token grants, all funded from a stablecoin treasury. Request Finance suits crypto-native teams that only need payouts, Franklin suits US-only teams, and Deel suits companies already on it. Toku publishes this page. For a wider comparison, see the best crypto payroll providers.
How can a DAO or foundation pay contributors?
Contributors who are independent contractors can be paid against invoices in stablecoins, with their tax details collected first. Programs with many contributors can use an agent-of-record service, such as Toku's, which provides the legal layer for contributor, ambassador and validator programs. Contributors who work like employees may need to be employed through a local entity or an employer of record, so settle classification before choosing a tool.
Can we fund payroll from our stablecoin treasury?
Yes, with several providers here. Toku funds payroll from a USDC or USDT treasury, Deel has allowed stablecoin treasury funding since January 2026, Rise takes funding in USD, USDC or USDT, Franklin lets payroll and taxes be funded in stablecoins, and Bitwage accepts crypto-funded payroll. Request Finance pays directly from your stablecoin business account.
Which Web3 payroll tools handle token vesting?
Toku administers token grants from setup through vesting, withholding, distribution and reporting. Request Finance pays token vestings, Franklin processes grant and token distributions, and Deel tracks, taxes and reports token grants but doesn't state vesting administration or distribution. Rise and Bitwage don't state a token grant service.
Which crypto assets can Web3 payroll pay in?
Toku pays in USDC and USDT. Request Finance pays USDC, USDT and DAI on its supported networks (26 listed). Rise says it offers USDC, USDT and 60+ other cryptocurrencies. Franklin pays USD, stablecoins and crypto on Ethereum, Optimism, Base and more. Bitwage offers USDC, USDT, DAI, cUSD, BTC and ETH. Deel pays employees a dollar- or euro-backed stablecoin and gives contractors a DLUSD balance.
Cite this page
BestWeb3Payroll (Toku). "Best Web3 payroll software in 2026." Updated November 10, 2026. https://bestweb3payroll.com/