Global marketplaces like freelance sites, online stores, creator platforms, and gig apps often need to pay many people in multiple countries, which is often slow and expensive. Traditional payments may include bank wire fees, currency exchange markups, extra bank charges, and delays on weekends or holidays.
Stablecoin payments can make this easier. They allow people to send cross-border payouts within minutes, with clearer fees and more predictable costs.
Why Marketplace Payouts Are Expensive
Paying people in other countries is expensive because the funds often pass through many banks and payment providers. Each one can charge a fee or cause a delay.
Bank transfer fees. International bank transfers come with per-transaction charges that are largely fixed regardless of the amount sent.
Currency exchange costs: Banks often add an extra charge when converting money from one currency to another.
Intermediary bank fees. Sometimes, other banks involved in the transfer take a fee before the funds arrive.
Delays and rejected payments: Banks may hold, delay, or reject payments if they identify additional risk with a country, bank, or recipient.
What Are Stablecoins
A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to stay close to the value of a fiat currency, usually the US dollar. Unlike more volatile crypto assets, stablecoins are commonly used for payments, trading, and settlement because their price is meant to remain stable. The two most widely used stablecoins are USDT and USDC, both supported across many major blockchain networks.
How Stablecoins Reduce Payout Costs
A stablecoin payout settles directly on a blockchain network, which removes many of the intermediaries that traditional bank transfers rely on to move funds across borders.
Lower Fees
Sending stablecoins can cost only a few cents, even for larger payments. This is useful for small payouts. For example, if a freelancer earns $50, a fixed wire fee can take a significant portion of that payout. When the same amount is sent on a low-cost network like Solana, the transfer fee is well under a dollar, so the recipient keeps nearly the full $50.
Fewer Intermediaries
With bank payments, funds often pass through intermediary banks which may charge a fee. With stablecoins, they can move directly from the platform’s wallet to the recipient’s wallet.
24/7 Payments
Banks usually do not process payments on weekends or holidays. Stablecoin networks run all the time, so payments can arrive in minutes, even at night or on weekends.
Smaller Minimum Payouts
When payment fees are very low, platforms don’t need to wait until a user earns a significant amount. They can pay smaller amounts more often.
Access to Underbanked Regions
Many marketplace participants live in countries where receiving an international wire is slow, expensive, or difficult. Stablecoins can reach anyone with a crypto wallet, without requiring a local bank account.
Practical Use Cases
Stablecoin payouts work best for platforms that send frequent payments to many recipients across different countries.
Freelance Marketplaces. Freelance platforms can pay contractors more often, even for smaller jobs, without incurring high fees.
E-Commerce Sellers. Online marketplaces can pay cross-border sellers faster, especially in regions where traditional bank transfers are slow or costly.
Creator Platforms. Creator platforms can use stablecoins for subscriptions, tips, revenue shares, or daily earnings. This gives creators more flexible access to their funds.
Gig and On-Demand Apps. Delivery, ride-hailing, and other gig apps can offer same-day or weekend payouts without waiting for banks to process payments.
Affiliate and Partner Programs. Low transfer fees make frequent, small payouts practical, so affiliates, partners, and referrers can be paid regularly without waiting to reach a minimum payout.
What to Consider Before Using Stablecoins
Stablecoins can lower payout costs, but only if implemented correctly.
Regulatory Environment
Stablecoin rules are different in every country or region. Before using them, a platform needs to check where stablecoin payouts are allowed and what licenses or partners are needed.
Converting to Local Currency
Stablecoins are only valuable if the recipient can use them. In some markets, converting stablecoins into local currency is complicated. It may depend on available exchanges, local regulations, or off-ramp options that aren't equally accessible everywhere.
Network Knowledge
A stablecoin can run on several blockchains, and they all behave differently in fees, speed, and how they're used. The sender and the recipient must use the same network. Otherwise, the funds may be permanently lost.
Security and Partners
Platforms also need to manage wallet security, reporting, and compliance. Many businesses choose to work with a regulated partner instead of building the infrastructure themselves.
Power Your Payments with Tothemoon
Tothemoon helps platforms send stablecoin payouts at scale. Businesses can send payments to many recipients at once using mass payouts, and built-in off-ramp options let them convert into local currency when needed. With an API Integration, businesses can start moving funds through Tothemoon within 48 hours of onboarding.
Conclusion
Stablecoins can make marketplace payouts faster, cheaper, and easier to send globally. They are especially useful for platforms that pay many people in different countries. But stablecoin payouts should be set up properly. Platforms need to follow local rules, choose the right networks, protect funds properly, and make sure recipients can easily use or convert the funds.
