Crypto News Today: Crypto Salaries Triple in 2024 as USDC Dominates Stablecoin Payroll Market, According to Pantera Report

Key Takeaways:The number of crypto professionals paid in digital assets tripled in 2024, reaching 9.6% of respondents.Circle’s USDC accounted for 63% of crypto payrolls, outpacing Tether’s USDt despite the latter’s trading volume dominance.Nearly 88% of token-based compensation is now on a 4-year vesting schedule, indicating long-term alignment.USDC’s adoption reflects growing trust in compliant, institutional-grade stablecoins.Crypto Salaries Surge Amid Stablecoin AdoptionA growing number of blockchain professionals are opting to receive part or all of their salaries in stablecoins, according to a new global compensation survey by Pantera Capital. The 2024 report, based on responses from over 1,600 crypto workers across 77 countries, reveals a sharp threefold increase in crypto-paid salaries compared to 2023.Of those paid in crypto, 9.6% were compensated in stablecoins, with Circle’s USDC (USD Coin) leading the charge — making up 63% of all payrolls in digital assets.Why USDC Is Winning the Payroll Battle Over USDTDespite Tether’s USDT maintaining dominance in global trading volumes, USDC emerged as the preferred choice for payroll, particularly among companies using regulated B2B platforms.“None of the major payroll providers like Deel, Remote, or Rippling offer USDT,” the report notes, suggesting that regulatory compliance and enterprise integrations gave USDC the edge.Together, USDC and USDT accounted for over 90% of stablecoin-based compensation.Stablecoins Are Powering the Next Phase of Web3 PayrollWith the total stablecoin market cap standing at $268.6 billion (according to DeFiLlama), the shift to blockchain-native payroll systems appears to be accelerating. Circle’s aggressive expansion strategy is helping drive this trend.In March 2024, Circle partnered with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to integrate USDC into global derivatives markets.In May, the firm applied for a federal trust bank charter to support stablecoin-based infrastructure.By July, the passage of the GENIUS Act under the Trump administration cemented USDC’s status as a model for compliant digital dollar infrastructure.Token Compensation Favors Long-Term CommitmentPantera’s report also revealed that 88% of token compensation packages now use 4-year vesting schedules, up from 64% last year. This aligns with a broader trend of incentivizing long-term participation in Web3 startups.Crypto Salaries: Skills Matter More Than DegreesThe survey found that hands-on experience and technical proficiency continue to outweigh academic credentials in crypto compensation. Interestingly:Bachelor’s degree holders earned the highest average salary at $286,039.Professionals with master’s degrees averaged $214,359.Those with doctorates earned an average of $226,858.USDC Emerges as the Payroll Stablecoin of ChoiceAs the blockchain industry matures, crypto payroll is no longer niche. The rapid adoption of USDC in salary payments — backed by regulatory clarity, infrastructure partnerships, and institutional trust — signals a broader shift toward tokenized financial systems in the workplace, according to Cointelegraph.