Cardex Launches Crypto Payroll Platform to Power Nigeria’s Freelance Economy
In a major step toward reshaping payments for digital workers, crypto startup Cardex has unveiled a payroll platform tailored to Nigerian freelancers and Web3 professionals, streamlining how they receive and spend crypto earnings.
In a statement released Wednesday, Cardex said the new system is aimed at solving the long-standing challenges Nigerian freelancers face when working with global clients including delays, high transfer fees, and scam-prone peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms.
The Key Features:
• Stablecoin Payments: Global clients can pay freelancers in USDT or USDC, reducing exposure to crypto volatility.
• Instant Naira Conversion: Payments are immediately convertible to naira, eliminating the need for risky P2P exchanges.
• Crypto Debit Card: Users can access funds via the Cardex Crypto Debit Card, usable at POS terminals and ATMs nationwide.
• Local Integration: The platform is built with Nigerian financial realities in mind unlike global platforms like Deel or Papaya Global, which lack localized features.
“We’re enabling a new infrastructure layer for Nigeria’s freelance economy, where payments are stable, secure, and spendable instantly,” the company stated.
With over 1,500 active users since launching four months ago, Cardex says its mission is to bring financial transparency and efficiency to a rapidly expanding market of remote workers and Web3 teams in Nigeria.
Why This Matters:
• Stablecoins are gaining global traction, with a market cap exceeding $138 billion (as of January 2025 per CoinGecko), and major players like Visa and PayPal now supporting stablecoin transactions.
• In a country facing high inflation and naira devaluation, Cardex says its platform offers a safe and accessible alternative to traditional banking hurdles and P2P uncertainty.
By offering direct-to-naira settlements, regulatory-compliant onboarding, and integration with Visa, Mastercard, and Verve, Cardex is aiming to bridge the gap between global digital payments and everyday local spending in Nigeria.
“This is more than a payroll tool,” Cardex stated. “It’s a critical financial bridge for Nigeria’s rising generation of digital workers.”