Wednesday, March 27

Want to be paid in bitcoin or dogecoin? Here are the rewards and risks


There’s no denying that with the Great Resignation, workers are more empowered to seek what they want from their jobs.

Other than flexibility and better benefits, a new workplace perk is gaining popularity — the option of being paid in digital currency.

According to a global poll by financial consultancy deVere Group, cryptocurrencies could become more common place in salary negotiations with younger workers.

More than a third of millennials (those aged between 26 and 42) and half of Generation Z (25 and below) would be happy to receive half their salary in bitcoin or other forms of cryptocurrencies, revealed the study.

A cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses computer code and blockchain technology to operate somewhat on its own, without the need for a central party to manage the system.

Another survey, by SoFi and Workplace Intelligence of 800 US employees, showed that 42% of them would like to receive non-fungible tokens as performance rewards.

Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are unique assets that are verified and stored using blockchain technology — a digital ledger similar to the networks that underpin cryptocurrencies.

Getting paid in digital currency is no doubt “trendy,” said Tony Jarvis, director of enterprise security in Asia-Pacific and Japan at cybersecurity start-up Darktrace.

“Offering to pay your employees with Bitcoin can be a way to attract what we might call ‘future-thinking workers’, especially if you’re in certain industries, like FinTech,” he added.

Indeed, SharpRank is one of the companies offering to pay in cryptocurrency in a bid to lure younger workers. It is an independent ratings agency that works with college students, who act as brand ambassadors.

Chris Adam, its founder and CEO, liked the appeal of a crypto salary among the young to “when Starbucks first became popular it was important to be seen with a Starbucks cup.”

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“It’s very similar with respect to being able to have some sort of cryptocurrency because that’s what all their friends are talking about.”

We found that the younger demographic, who might have a higher appetite risk, tends to see risk-reward through a different lens than someone who has really only ever known being paid in cash.

While offering cryptocurrency as salary has enabled companies to draw young talent, it comes with both rewards and risks for employees. CNBC Make It takes a look at both.

1. Speedy payments

Forget the waiting times, exchange fees and additional costs that come with traditional bank transactions — receiving payment in cryptocurrency can be really fast, and that gives employees a level of certainty, said Jarvis.

“When your employer makes a payment to you using [digital currency], as soon as your employer makes that payment, the next second, it is in your account. You don’t have to wait until the following day.”

Receiving payment in cryptocurrency can be really fast, and that gives employees a level of certainty, said Tony Jarvis of Darktrace.

Louis Alvarez | digitalvision | Getty Images

Given the growing interest in cryptocurrency among younger investors, it is “no surprise” that they would prefer getting paid in that way, said Sumit Gupta, CEO and co-founder of CoinDCX, a cryptocurrency exchange platform.

“They would immediately have access to and hold crypto in their portfolios, without having to convert from fiat, which factors in an additional transaction fee.” Fiat money refers to physical money backed by a government.

2. Avoiding taxes — or not

However, more countries may tighten their reins over digital assets in the near future “in a bid to enhance consumer trust and safety,” said Gupta.

Later this month, from April 18, individuals in the United States will need to report cryptocurrency transactions to the Internal Revenue Service.

Gupta added that similar measures have been implemented in Indiawhere a 30% tax is imposed on income from cryptocurrency.

“It is important for employees who are paid in crypto to be aware of how such changes affect owning and using crypto assets … staying constantly in the know of policy changes can allow users to react quickly to developments,” he said.

3. Volatility: a double-edged sword

The crypto market can be volatile, but it’s still attractive to young people who have “higher appetite risks,” said Chris Adam of SharpRank.

Insta_photos | istock | Getty Images

As for SharpRank’s Adam, navigating the ups and downs of digital currency “can be a very positive experience.”

“We see that a number of kids go through cycles like that … let’s say overnight, I wake up and [cryptocurrency] you have devalued by 500%. The first thing I’m going to do is ask why and then I’m going to figure out ways to make sure that may not happen again,” added Adam.

“I think that’s an applicable skill in asset allocation and investing.”

Even so, owning or getting paid in cryptocurrency may not be for the faint-hearted.

“We found that the younger demographic, who might have a higher appetite risks, tend to see risk-reward through a different lens than someone who has really only ever known being paid in cash,” said Adam.

4. Cybersecurity threats remain


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