Payroll and HR platform Gusto has partnered with crypto infrastructure provider Zerohash to enable stablecoin-based payouts for workers outside the U.S., adding a new payment option to its global payroll and contractor offerings.
The integration, which is currently in beta, allows eligible contractors to receive earnings in U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins with settlement times measured in minutes rather than days, Zerohash said in a press release Friday.
Roughly one-third of U.S. small businesses now outsource at least one role, according to industry data, and Gusto’s own research shows 11% employed international contractors in 2025.
Traditional cross-border payments can take three to seven days to settle, creating cash flow challenges for contractors and administrative friction for employers. By using stablecoins and real-time payment rails, Gusto said it can move funds globally at much faster speeds, an approach that mirrors growing interest across fintech in onchain settlement for payments and payroll.
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to assets like fiat currencies or gold. They underpin much of the crypto economy, serving as payment rails and a tool for moving money across borders. Tether’s USDT is the largest stablecoin, followed by Circle’s USDC.
“As the workforce increasingly becomes more global and more digital, traditional payment rails can no longer meet the speed and accessibility that modern businesses require,” said Edward Woodford, founder and CEO of Zerohash, in the release.
The setup gives workers more choice in how they are paid, including the ability to receive funds through both custodial and self-custodial digital wallets. Payments move onchain with settlement and traceability, supported by regulated entities operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Gusto serves more than 400,000 small business employers.
Read more: Mastercard Eyes Zerohash Acquisition for Nearly $2B Bet on Stablecoins: Report
