Use Stripe Express to get paid directly in stablecoins, starting with USDC.
Choosing to earn in stablecoins enables you to get paid faster, and makes it even easier to own and manage stablecoins. If you are outside of the US, it enables you to earn in a stablecoin pegged to USD as an alternative to earning in your local currency.
In your Account settings, find the option to add a crypto wallet and set it as your default payout account. To start earning in stablecoins, provide the public address of a crypto wallet that supports either the Base or Polygon Network.
After you have successfully added a crypto wallet, your Express account will have a tab for your new USDC balance. This tab is where you can track payments from your platform that were made in USDC and view upcoming payouts to your crypto wallet.
A crypto wallet is what allows you to send, receive, and store your crypto. There are three major types of wallets (hosted, self-custody, and hardware) and several services that simplify the creation and management of wallets.
A crypto wallet can conceptually be thought of as a bank account for crypto, but it’s worth understanding that your crypto wallet does not actually store crypto in it. Instead, the crypto you own is actually stored publicly on the blockchain, and your wallet holds a key that proves you own the crypto and enables you to use it. Specifically, your wallet’s public address is what is visible on the blockchain, and your private key (which is critical to protect), is what enables you to prove your ownership.
Stripe Express currently supports crypto payouts in USDC, which is a digital stablecoin that is pegged to the United States dollar (USD). Learn more about USDC.
Stripe Express currently processes USDC payouts over the Base and Polygon Networks, which are Ethereum compatible crypto networks. Due to their scalable design and current adoption, these networks are able to process transactions more quickly and for lower transaction costs than the Ethereum main network. This balance of compatibility and scalability ensures that you get paid over a network that is safe, fast, and inexpensive.
Since these networks are Ethereum compatible, most Ethereum wallets work with Stripe Express. When signing up, ensure that your wallet is compatible with the Base or Polygon Network.
For example, you can use Coinbase Wallet to create a wallet and enable it to operate over the networks we support.
Generally, the same payout amount should be reported on your Form 1099 regardless of whether you are paid in stablecoins or USD. Reach out to your platform directly for any issues or questions on the Forms 1099 issued to you. We recommend that you speak to your tax advisor with any questions or concerns about your individual tax situation.
We encourage you to consult with legal and tax advisors for any local laws you may be subject to as a result of owning or transacting in stablecoin. We provide transaction history, which you can use for any tax reporting required in your country.
In your Account settings, you can view and edit the payout account you have provided. In some cases, you may be prompted to contact Stripe Express support to confirm your identity and intent to change your wallet.
In your Account settings, you can change your default payout method to be a bank account or debit card instead of your crypto wallet. This ensures that your future earnings go into your local currency instead of in crypto.