# Stablecoin payouts for Connect

You can use Stripe Express to get paid directly in [USDC](https://www.usdc.com/), a digital stablecoin. Stablecoin payouts for Connect let you get paid faster and hold your earnings directly in crypto. For non-US users, stablecoin payouts for Connect allow you to earn stablecoins pegged to USD regardless of your local currency.
Availability depends on whether your country is supported and your platform has enabled stablecoin payouts for Connect.
- [When will I receive my stablecoin payout?](#payout-timing)
- [Are stablecoin payouts for Connect available in my country?](#country-availability)
- [Does my platform allow stablecoin payouts?](#platform-availability)
- [How do I sign up for stablecoin payouts?](#sign-up)
- [How do I update my attached crypto wallet?](#update-wallet)
- [How can I move back to being paid in my local currency?](#local-currency)
- [What should I do if I don't recognize a wallet address on my account?](#unauthorized-wallet)
- [What is a crypto wallet?](#what-is-a-wallet)
- [What stablecoins are supported?](#supported-stablecoins)
- [What crypto wallets are supported?](#supported-wallets)
- [Will stablecoin payouts be included in a 1099?](#1099)
- [How do I report stablecoin payouts to my local tax authority?](#local-tax)
## When will I receive my stablecoin payout?
**First payout**: All Express accounts have a standard hold period of 7+ days before the first payout is sent. This applies to every new account and is not specific to stablecoin payouts. The estimated arrival date shown in your [Express dashboard](https://connect.stripe.com/express_login) reflects this hold period.
**After your first payout**: Once your account and wallet have been verified, stablecoin payouts generally arrive in about 10 minutes after your platform initiates them.
**When you add a new wallet address**: The first time a wallet is used for a payout, Stripe runs a one-time verification that takes up to 24 hours. After this clears, future payouts to the same wallet typically arrive in about 10 minutes.
## Are stablecoin payouts available in my country?
View the [supported countries list](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/stablecoin-payouts#supported-countries).
## Does my platform allow stablecoin payouts?
If you don't see the option to add a crypto wallet in your [Account Settings](https://connect.stripe.com/express_login), your platform may not have enabled stablecoin payouts yet. Reach out to your platform's support team to confirm.
## How do I sign up for stablecoin payouts?
In your [Express Dashboard](https://connect.stripe.com/express_login), go to **Account Settings** and 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 adding a wallet, your Express account will have a tab for your new USDC balance. Use this tab to track USDC payments from your platform and view upcoming payouts to your crypto wallet.
Your platform controls whether stablecoin payouts are available on your account, as well as your payout schedule and account configuration.
## How do I update my attached crypto wallet?
1. In your [Express Dashboard](https://connect.stripe.com/express_login), go to **Account Settings** by selecting the icon in the upper right corner.
1. From there, select your payout account to view and edit it.
**You may be asked to verify your identity.** To protect your account, Stripe requires identity verification when you change your wallet address. This prevents unauthorized changes to where your funds are sent. You may be asked to upload a government-issued ID and a selfie. If the self-service flow shows an error, reach out to Stripe Express support and we'll complete the update with you.
**If you want to switch back to a bank account as your default:** See [How can I move back to being paid in my local currency?](#local-currency) for full steps.
Wallet addresses can't be deleted from your account. They can only be replaced by adding a new address or switching your default to a different payout method.
## How can I move back to being paid in my local currency?
1. In your [Express Dashboard](https://connect.stripe.com/express_login), go to **Account Settings**.
1. Change your default payout method to a bank account or debit card instead of your crypto wallet.
This ensures that your future earnings are paid out in your local currency instead of crypto
## What should I do if I don't recognize a wallet address on my account?
If you see a wallet address in your Account Settings that you didn't add, act immediately:
1. **Change your default payout method** to a bank account or a wallet address you control, so future payouts are not sent to the unrecognized address.
1. **Contact Stripe Express support** right away and report the unauthorized change. Include details about when you noticed it and which address you don't recognize.
1. **Secure your account** by updating your password and reviewing any recent account activity.
If a payout was sent to an address you don't control before you caught the change, contact your platform's support team as well.
## What is a crypto wallet?
A crypto wallet lets you 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.
## What stablecoins are supported?
Stripe Express supports crypto payouts in [USDC](https://www.usdc.com), which is a digital stablecoin pegged to the United States dollar (USD).
## What crypto wallets are supported?
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](https://www.coinbase.com/wallet) to create a wallet and enable it to operate over the networks we support.
## Will stablecoin payouts be included in a 1099-K, 1099-MISC, or 1099-NEC from my platform? (for US recipients only)
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.
## How do I report stablecoin payouts to my local tax authority? (for non-US recipients only)
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 stablecoins. We provide transaction history, which you can use for any tax reporting required in your country.