Getting paid in crypto is a quick, secure, and stable way to manage payments as a freelancer.
Whether you work in the cryptocurrency or blockchain space—such as blockchain development or Web3 writing—or in other freelance niches, receiving crypto payments helps you reduce transaction costs, receive payments quicker, hedge against inflation, and invest for future returns.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to get paid in crypto as a freelancer in 2025, including where to find crypto-paying jobs and how to spend your crypto directly as Naira.
Why Get Paid in Crypto?
Many freelancers prefer to be paid in cryptocurrency because of its advantages over traditional fiat payments. Crypto can provide a secure and flexible way to earn while protecting your income from inflation. Here are some of the top benefits of choosing crypto as a payment method:
Stress-Free Cross-Border Payments:
Freelancers in Nigeria often face challenges when receiving international payments, from limiting government regulations to the unavailability of popular financial services like Venmo, PayPal, and Wise. By choosing to be paid in crypto, you can bypass these obstacles and receive payments from clients anywhere in the world.
Instant Transactions
While international payments may take days or weeks to reflect in your bank account, you can receive USDT, Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies within minutes or seconds. This enables you to better manage your cash flow and plan your spending as a freelancer.
Privacy and Security
Many gig workers prefer crypto transactions due to the privacy and security they offer. While receiving payments to your bank account often requires sharing personal information, such as your name and other identifiers, with cryptocurrency, you don’t need to disclose any personal details. You only need to copy your wallet address and send it to the client.
Lower Transaction Costs
Although crypto exchanges charge a currency conversion or swap fee when you exchange cryptocurrencies or withdraw crypto as fiat, these costs are often much lower than traditional payment methods.
Investment
Crypto, especially stablecoins, can be a great store of value. According to Statista, about 25.86 million Nigerians will use cryptocurrency by 2025. Many people see investing in crypto as a way to hedge against inflation and protect their finances from currency instability, such as the naira’s devaluation.
Popular Cryptocurrencies Freelancers Can Receive
Cryptocurrency offers a safe, flexible, and modern way for freelancers to earn. With thousands of cryptocurrencies in circulation, some stand out due to their popularity, convenience, and, most importantly, stability. Ideally, you want to get paid in a cryptocurrency that retains its value (or even increases) over time. While some cryptocurrencies can be more volatile than others, many freelancers prefer more stable options to avoid losing value. Here are some of the most popular types of cryptocurrencies you can receive as a freelancer:
Stablecoins
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies whose value is pegged to a fiat currency or reserves. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, which are created by solving complex computations on the blockchain, stablecoins are backed by actual assets. USDT and USDC are examples of stablecoins that maintain a 1:1 parity with the US dollar. They provide an alternative way for you to hold money in USD, making them the preferred cryptocurrencies for freelancers receiving payments.
Utility Tokens
Utility tokens are digital tokens that provide access to a specific product or service within a blockchain. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana are among the most popular utility tokens. While they offer strong security, they are more volatile than stablecoins. Prices can skyrocket or crash, so you may experience significant fluctuations in value.
Governance Tokens
Governance tokens, like MKR, COMP, and UNI, grant holders voting rights in decentralized networks. They allow you participate in decisions such as protocol upgrades and fee structures. While it may be valuable for those wanting influence over a project’s future, they can be highly volatile, making them less ideal for freelancers who want stability.
How to Get Paid in Crypto as a Freelancer
To get paid in crypto, you need two things: a crypto wallet and a client who uses cryptocurrency. Many freelance platforms don’t handle crypto payments directly, so you’ll likely need third-party apps like Coinbase, Mular or Trust Wallet. Here’s how to receive cryptocurrency payments as a freelancer:
- Agree on a Cryptocurrency: To get paid in crypto, you need to first decide with your client which cryptocurrency you want to get paid in. This ensures you provide the correct wallet address. Different cryptocurrencies have different wallet formats, and sending funds to the wrong address can lead to the loss of your payment.
- Choose a Wallet and Create an Account: You need a crypto wallet to receive payments in crypto. Although different types of wallets exist, many people prefer hot wallets because they are easier to use for making transactions. Choose a hot wallet such as Exodus, Coinbase, or Mular that supports the cryptocurrency you want to receive, and create an account.
- Invoice Your Client: After setting up your wallet, generate your wallet address and include it in your invoice. Most wallets automatically generate a wallet address whenever you want to receive crypto. Double-check the wallet address to ensure it is accurate. Since crypto transactions are irreversible, you want to avoid any errors in the wallet address.
- Receive Your Payment: You will most likely receive your payment in your wallet a few minutes after the client sends it. You can choose to offer them a receipt as proof of payment. Once you’ve received your payment, it’s up to you to decide how to use the funds. You can save it, invest it, swap between cryptocurrencies, or spend crypto directly as Naira.
Freelance Jobs That Let You Earn Crypto
While anyone can theoretically get paid in crypto for almost any job, this payment method is more common in cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. Fields like blockchain development, cybersecurity, and smart contract development often pay freelancers in crypto because of their reliance on digital assets.
However, even if you’re not directly working in the Web3 or blockchain space, you can still earn crypto for services like content writing, web design, app development, and graphic design. It all comes down to the agreement you make with your client regarding the payment method.
Freelance Platforms Where You Can Get Paid in Crypto
While major freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour do not yet support direct crypto payments, many freelancers have successfully negotiated crypto payments outside of these platforms by using third-party services or payment gateways. Always be sure to discuss and confirm the payment terms with your client upfront.
If you are looking to work in the crypto space, there are specific freelance platforms that encourage crypto payments. Some of the more popular platforms include:
- Deelance: Deelance focuses on freelance jobs in the blockchain space, allowing you to get paid in various cryptocurrencies.
- Blocklancer: Specializes in decentralized job listings, where freelancers can receive payments in crypto.
- BitsGigs: A job marketplace where you can find crypto-related gigs and get paid in digital assets.
- Earn.com: A platform where freelancers can earn crypto by completing tasks, answering questions, or participating in activities.
- CryptoJobs: A job board specifically for freelancers in the cryptocurrency space, with many opportunities to get paid in crypto.
Spend Crypto Directly as Naira with Mular
You will often find that when you receive crypto payments as a Nigerian freelancer, you will have to withdraw them and convert them to USD and Naira. This process is not only time-consuming but cumbersome. Thankfully, Mular provides a way to spend your crypto payments directly as Naira. This means you don’t have to convert all your funds to Naira, especially if you are trying to hedge against inflation or the naira’s instability. You can hold your funds as crypto and pay bills, buy groceries and make everyday transactions directly from your crypto wallet. Here are some of the benefits of using Mular:
- Quick transactions (send and receive funds in 99 seconds).
- 24/7 customer support.
- Low transaction fees.
- Swap between cryptocurrencies without P2P risks.
- Swap between Naira and USDT with the best market rates.
- Make everyday payments directly from your crypto wallet.