MoonPay Unlocks Stablecoin Payroll for 40,000 Businesses Across UK & EU

MoonPay is pushing stablecoins deeper into the real economy. The fintech firm announced a new partnership with Deel, a global payroll and HR platform, that could allow around 40,000 businesses in the UK and European Union to pay employees directly in stablecoins.

Through MoonPay’s fiat infrastructure division, Iron, companies using Deel will be able to send salaries straight to workers’ crypto wallets instead of relying solely on traditional banking rails. The service is set to launch first in the UK and EU, with plans to expand into the United States. 

According to MoonPay, this integration will streamline global payroll operations by combining fiat funding with crypto settlement, creating a hybrid infrastructure for international payments.

Stablecoins Move Into Mainstream Payroll

The collaboration reflects a broader shift among tech-forward companies toward crypto-based compensation models. Deel has already been active in digital asset payroll since 2021, offering salary payments in USDC and Solana to workers who opt in.

In 2025 alone, Deel reportedly processed $22 billion in global payroll, underscoring the scale of the opportunity. Iron founder Max von Wallenberg emphasized that the partnership enables “quick and smooth worldwide payments on a large scale,” highlighting growing demand for blockchain-based settlement systems.

Previously, Deel required employees choosing crypto payroll to create accounts with Coinbase, allowing withdrawals in assets such as Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP. The platform has argued that crypto payroll reduces cross-border friction and accelerates contractor payments compared to traditional wire systems.

Still, fees remain a consideration. Coinbase has charged a 1.5% provider fee on crypto payroll withdrawals, with USDC carrying an additional variable 1% fee and Solana adding another 1.5% cost. 

Despite these charges, proponents say the speed and global accessibility of stablecoins outweigh the costs, especially in regions facing currency volatility or banking limitations.

Expansion Beyond Europe

Although the rollout begins in Europe, MoonPay has signaled ambitions to expand stablecoin payroll into the U.S. market. The move comes as stablecoins increasingly gain regulatory clarity and institutional backing across major economies.

MoonPay has been active beyond payroll as well. In late 2025, self-custody wallet firm Exodus Movement partnered with MoonPay and M0 to enter the stablecoin market with a USD-pegged product, further reinforcing MoonPay’s push into digital dollar infrastructure.

The payroll initiative represents another step in the company’s broader strategy to position itself as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain payments.

Visa Joins the Stablecoin Push

The momentum behind stablecoin payouts isn’t limited to crypto-native firms. Visa Inc. has also launched pilot programs allowing businesses to fund payouts in fiat while recipients receive USD-backed stablecoins such as USDC.

Visa introduced the initiative at the Singapore Fintech Festival, highlighting how stablecoins can reduce settlement times from days to minutes. The company noted that this functionality is particularly valuable for freelancers, creators, and marketplace participants who need rapid access to funds.

Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions at Visa, stated that stablecoin payouts aim to ensure individuals worldwide can access funds “in minutes,” avoiding legacy payment delays.

A Structural Shift in Global Payments

The MoonPay–Deel partnership underscores a larger structural shift in how wages and contractor payments are delivered. Stablecoins, once viewed primarily as crypto trading tools, are increasingly being positioned as operational financial infrastructure.

By embedding digital dollar rails directly into payroll systems, companies are testing whether blockchain-based payments can outperform traditional correspondent banking networks in speed, cost efficiency, and global reach.

As regulatory clarity improves and institutional participation grows, stablecoin payroll may move from niche offering to mainstream option - particularly for globally distributed workforces operating across borders.