The global workforce is evolving fast. As remote work, freelancing, and cross-border lifestyles become the norm, a new demographic is rising: borderless workers. These are digital nomads, expats, and freelancers who operate across countries, currencies, and platforms. But traditional banking and payment systems haven’t caught up—burdened by geographic restrictions, regulatory red tape, and high fees.

This disconnect is fueling the rise of crypto cards: financial tools that empower global workers to earn, hold, and spend money with unprecedented freedom and flexibility. Platforms like UPay are leading this shift, offering low-fee, globally accepted crypto card solutions built for the next generation of earners. The market is massive. Freelancers already comprise 47% of the global workforce, and this percentage is expected to continue growing.

Persistent Financial Challenges on Payments

Borderless professionals frequently encounter financial barriers that disrupt their income flow and limit their access to global opportunities:

• Multi-currency limitation

Frequent currency exchanges and incompatible payment systems make it difficult for freelancers to accept international work. In fact, 65% of global freelancers have reported financial losses due to currency conversion issues or lack of access to flexible payout options.

• Banking restrictions

Opening and maintaining bank accounts in foreign countries can be a major hurdle. Over 58% of freelancers and gig workers say that existing local banking systems do not support their needs, particularly when living abroad or earning in multiple currencies.

• High transaction fees 

Traditional banks and payment platforms often charge high fees for international transfers, which can significantly reduce freelancers’ earnings with each payout.

• Slow transfers 

International wire transfers can take several business days to process. These delays sometimes exceeding five days can threaten financial stability and make it challenging for freelancers to cover daily expenses.

This is where crypto-native platforms like UPay make a difference, offering fast, affordable, and globally compatible alternatives that empower users to receive and spend funds without banking friction.

What are crypto payments?

A crypto payment refers to a digital transaction where cryptocurrency or stablecoins are used as a medium of exchange to send or receive funds. This type of payment leverages blockchain technology to send money directly from one person to another without needing a bank or middleman. Enabling fast, sometimes instant, secure, and borderless transfers of value directly.

Mainstream adoption: Crypto payments have evolved from niche use cases into mainstream financial tools, with many businesses and consumers embracing stablecoins (cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar) to facilitate seamless, low-cost, and transparent cross-border transactions. 

Universal acceptance: Major card networks like Visa and Mastercard now support crypto payments, enabling users to spend digital assets with millions of merchants worldwide. This mainstream compatibility has led platforms like UPay to integrate crypto with everyday spending, providing users with a seamless experience that mirrors traditional fintech apps—only faster and more borderless.

Why crypto payments offer a better solution

Crypto payments address all the major pain points freelancers face when working internationally. These transactions can be executed effortlessly via crypto cards, which are payment cards (debit or credit) linked to cryptocurrency wallets, enabling users to pay in local currencies while spending crypto assets. 

Key Benefits

• Instant currency conversion: Seamlessly convert crypto to fiat at the point of sale.
• Global acceptance: Use anywhere major card networks (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted.
• Lower fees: Reduce or eliminate costly international transaction fees.
• Financial sovereignty: No need for a local bank account; manage funds from anywhere.
• Privacy and security: Enhanced security features and fewer restrictions compared to traditional banks.

Crypto payments are already increasingly common among freelancers, with over one-third (35%) of freelancers worldwide having received payments in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDC. The appeal of these digital currencies is evident, as a report reveals that 93% of global freelancers prefer to receive at least part of their income in crypto and stablecoins. For this growing segment, platforms like UPay aren’t just a convenience—they’re essential.

Crypto for daily transactions

To tap into the untapped crypto card market worth billions, freelancers need an enhanced approach to improve their experience and fully embrace cryptocurrency for both payments and daily expenses.

Demand for simplicity in crypto payments

Cryptocurrency has often been perceived as a complex concept, which can make using it for daily payments seem daunting to the average person. This highlights the need for simplicity in crypto payments to ensure a user experience comparable to that of Web2 payment apps. Data shows that 81% of freelancers prefer using a platform that enables them to be paid out by simply using an email address. 

Crypto payments for everyday spending

While receiving payments in crypto is a significant advancement, the ability to spend it on various expenses without a lengthy transaction process is equally important. From surveys conducted by Zero Hash, 81% of freelancers and gig workers globally want to use crypto for subscription services, such as Netflix, Spotify, VPNs, and business software. 

Crypto payment platforms to watch in 2025

Crypto payment platforms have evolved significantly in recent years. Today’s top providers offer streamlined onboarding, Web2-style interfaces, and enterprise-grade security—making them ideal for freelancers, remote teams, and global consumers alike.

Here are some of the leading players shaping the space in 2025:

• UPay – Purpose-built for freelancers and borderless workers, UPay offers an intuitive crypto wallet and virtual and physical cards that enable fast, low-fee global spending with real-time crypto-to-fiat conversion. With simplified user flows and high global acceptance, UPay is designed to help users turn crypto into practical, everyday money.
  
• Crypto.com – A major player with strong branding and global reach, offering a suite of crypto payment and trading tools.
  
• Bybit – Known for its trading platform, Bybit has entered the crypto card market with features aimed at active users.
  
• Coinbase – A regulated US-based exchange with growing crypto card and merchant tools for international users.

Find out more in-depth information on these crypto card platforms and others.

Conclusion 

The rapid expansion of the freelance, expat, and remote workforce is transforming how people live and work across borders. Yet traditional payment systems still lag behind—slowing down cross-border earnings, adding unnecessary fees, and limiting access to financial tools for millions of professionals. Crypto cards are emerging as a timely and powerful solution, offering faster settlement, lower costs, and seamless global usability.

Platforms like UPay are not just riding this trend—they’re building for it. By offering intuitive, crypto-powered payment tools tailored for the borderless generation, UPay is helping unlock a more open, inclusive, and efficient financial future. The market is massive, the demand is growing, and the next wave of global financial empowerment will be led by those who build with borderless workers in mind.

Download UPay: https://bit.ly/3IFXNsJ