By Juliet Umeh

In a move aimed at streamlining digital payments for the modern workforce, crypto startup Cardex has announced the launch of its new payroll platform.

The solution is designed to make it easier for Nigerian freelancers and Web3 professionals to receive, manage, and spend their earnings in cryptocurrency.

Cardex said the platform is enabling a new infrastructure layer for Nigeria’s growing freelance economy and digital workforce, allowing users to receive stable, secure, and spendable crypto payments.

The company stated that its system “pioneers a shift toward crypto-native payroll and instant naira spending, offering freelancers the ability to bypass the volatility of peer-to-peer exchanges and the inefficiencies of traditional financial systems.

“Freelancers in Nigeria working with foreign clients often encounter delayed international transfers, high fees, and the risk of scams or price manipulation on unregulated P2P platforms.

“Our service allows global clients to pay in stablecoins such as USDT or USDC, while Nigerian freelancers can instantly convert their earnings to naira.

“The funds can be transferred to bank accounts or accessed using the Cardex Crypto Debit Card, which is accepted at point-of-sale terminals and ATMs nationwide.

The stablecoins are becoming a mainstream option for global payments, offering protection against inflation and currency devaluation, two persistent challenges in Nigeria,” the statement read.

Citing data from CoinGecko, Cardex stated that stablecoins reached over $138bn in global market capitalisation as of January 2025, with major players such as Visa and PayPal integrating stablecoin support for everyday transactions.

Cardex said its platform integrates this growing stablecoin economy with Nigeria’s local financial infrastructure.

It explained that its crypto debit card, which works with Visa, Mastercard, and Verve, bridges the gap between digital currencies and traditional spending, enabling users to make payments for groceries and transportation and even withdraw cash.

It pointed out that, “while P2P platforms have historically helped Nigerians convert crypto to naira, they expose users to unfair rates and scams due to lack of regulation. “Our solution offers a secure and transparent alternative, with direct access to funds and protection from market risks.”

Cardex stated that unlike global payroll platforms such as Deel, Remote, and Papaya Global, which may support crypto payments but lack localised features, its solution is built specifically for Nigeria.

It said its onboarding, compliance measures, and naira off-ramping features are tailored to the local economic and banking landscape.

The company disclosed that since launching four months ago, it has grown to more than 1,500 active users, consisting largely of freelancers, remote workers, and Web3 teams.

Cardex said that as Nigeria continues to produce highly sought-after remote tech talent in Africa, it aims to ensure the country is not left behind in the future of global payments.