You’re a freelancer, founder, or remote employee billing in USD. You live in Lisbon, Bali, Buenos Aires, or Mexico City. Your bank takes 1–4 days and 3–4% in FX markup to convert each paycheck. Wise and Revolut shave that to 0.5–1%. The crypto rail does it for under 0.1% — and gives you optionality your bank doesn’t.
The mechanics
- Client pays you in USD via ACH or wire.
- Receive at a US-based exchange (Coinbase, Kraken).
- Convert to USDC on-platform.
- Either: hold in USDC earning ~4–6% APY, OR off-ramp to local currency through a regulated EU/LATAM exchange.
Why this beats Wise / Revolut
- FX is competitive at the off-ramp — exchanges quote spot, not 0.5% markup.
- You control timing. Convert when the rate is favorable; hold USDC until then.
- Idle balance earns yield. Wise pays 0%. USDC at 4–6%.
- Optionality: spend USDC directly via Ether.fi Cash card and skip conversion entirely.
What to document
Tax authorities want a clean paper trail. Use regulated exchanges, document each conversion, keep records. ARCrypto coordinates with members’ tax counsel for the recurring-income use case. Book a call.