A new report from Pantera Capital reveals a significant trend: a growing number of crypto professionals are choosing to be paid in digital dollars. The number of industry workers receiving salaries in stablecoins has tripled over the past year, with 9.6% now opting for these payments.
The report, which surveyed over 1,600 professionals across 77 countries, found that Circle’s USDC is the dominant choice, accounting for 63% of crypto payrolls. This is notable given that Tether’s USDT remains the most traded stablecoin globally. The preference for USDC may be partly due to its support by major payroll providers like Deel and Rippling, which do not yet offer USDT. Together, USDC and USDT make up over 90% of crypto salary payments, reflecting a broader industry shift toward crypto-native financial infrastructure.
In a related development, Circle is actively positioning USDC for institutional finance. The company is exploring integrations with the parent firm of the New York Stock Exchange and has applied for a federal trust bank charter. These efforts are bolstered by the recent passage of the bipartisan GENIUS Act, a stablecoin regulatory bill that aims to provide a clear legal framework for the industry.
The Pantera report also highlights other trends in crypto compensation, including a sharp increase in four-year vesting schedules for token-based packages, indicating a focus on long-term employee alignment. Interestingly, the data suggests that hands-on experience may be valued more than formal education, as bachelor’s degree holders reported higher average salaries than those with master’s or doctoral degrees.
August 2025, Cryptoniteuae
