Gusto Launches with zerohash to Bring Stablecoin Payouts to Global Payroll
he partnership brings real-time stablecoin payments to Gusto’s 400,000+ small business employers and their international workers.
Global payroll is shifting fast, and traditional rails can’t keep up. Small businesses are no longer local operations; they are global enterprises from day one. At least 1/3 of U.S. small businesses now outsource at least one business process or role, often tapping into talent pools far beyond their own borders.
To support this evolution, Gusto has chosen zerohash to power stablecoin payouts and bring modern, near-instant settlement to its platform.
A Distributed Workforce Needs Better Rails
Gusto is a leading payroll and HR platform trusted by more than 400,000 small business employers. As these businesses scale, their hiring patterns are becoming increasingly international. Gusto’s own data reveals that the share of companies paying international contractors increased by 11% year-over-year in 2024, following a trend where 75% of SMBs plan to increase their international headcount to find the right expertise.
Stablecoin payouts enhance Gusto’s global payroll experience by bringing digital dollar payments that move in seconds, not days. They offer onchain transparency that helps workers track transactions in real time and give people more choice in how they receive their earnings. Together, these improvements create a modern, flexible approach to payroll that supports today’s distributed workforce.
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Stablecoins Are Reshaping Global Payroll
Cross-border payments often take several days to settle. Workers face uncertainty about when funds will arrive, while employers deal with operational delays and inconsistent fee structures. The legacy system was never designed for the modern "contingent" workforce, segment that has exploded recently. Data from ADP shows that the number of independent contractors has surged by 50% since 2019.
Stablecoins change the dynamic:
- Real-Time Settlement: Funds arrive in under a minute rather than 3–7 days.
- Onchain Verification: Workers can verify transactions directly on the ledger.
- Predictability: The experience becomes clear and dependable for both parties.
With this integration, Gusto brings these benefits to its entire customer base, offering a model that is finally aligned with the speed of global business.
Why Gusto Chose zerohash
Gusto has processed more than $1 trillion in payroll. Any partner supporting their payment stack must meet an extremely high bar. Reliability, regulatory strength, and operational maturity are essential.
zerohash provides regulated stablecoin and crypto infrastructure that abstracts away blockchain complexity. Gusto can offer stablecoin payouts without needing to manage custody, liquidity sourcing, or compliance controls. Our platform handles those responsibilities, giving Gusto a secure foundation that can scale globally while maintaining the trust of 400,000+ employers.
How the New Payout Experience Works
Gusto’s stablecoin payout experience is designed to be simple. Workers select stablecoin as their payment method, enter a wallet address, choose the blockchain and the asset, and receive their earnings in seconds.
The flow works with both custodial and self-custodial wallets and provides full visibility into the status of each payout. For contractors who rely on global payments, this is transformative: they receive funds quickly, retain value in a digital dollar format, and maintain full control over their money.
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
Stablecoins don’t just benefit workers; they help small businesses operate more efficiently. Because traditional banks do not settle globally on weekends or holidays, many companies are forced to pre-fund payroll days in advance.
By settling instantly, employers can fund payroll closer to the actual payout date, providing vital cash flow flexibility. Furthermore, because payments arrive on time and fees are predictable, it removes the friction that often strains the relationship between an employer and their global team.
A Foundation for Future Innovation
Stablecoin payouts are only the beginning. They create the foundation for a series of innovations that can reshape payroll, from real-time earnings to programmable payment flows.
We believe that stablecoins will become a core part of the global payments stack. They reduce friction, increase transparency, and support the fast-moving world of modern work. Gusto recognizes this shift and is acting early to support the needs of its customers and their teams.