The rise of AI-powered freelancers is set to significantly increase the use of stablecoins in global freelance and gig economy payments, according to a new report by Australian crypto exchange Swyftx. The company estimates that the worldwide freelance payments market could reach $2.1 trillion by 2033, with AI-native workers contributing $775 billion of that total.
Swyftx’s analysis projects that roughly one-third of AI-driven freelancers’ payment volume—around $262 billion—could be settled using stablecoins. This surge reflects the growing practicality of stablecoins as a low-cost, efficient settlement option amid evolving payment needs across borderless microbusinesses.
The report highlights smaller firms, especially those with fewer than five employees, as leading early adopters of AI technologies, creating a wave of solo entrepreneurs who rely on frequent invoicing and cross-border transactions. These freelancers face high remittance fees and banking infrastructure not optimized for small, rapid payments. Currently estimated between six and 10 million globally, this group could expand to 17 million in the next decade.
Stablecoins offer substantial savings on transfer fees, with Swyftx noting they can reduce costs by as much as 80% to 90% compared to traditional banking rails. For example, using stablecoins on Ethereum layer-2 networks can cut fees dramatically, saving freelancers up to 86% annually on transaction costs. This financial incentive is a key driver behind the shift toward stablecoin adoption.
Beyond individual freelancers, Swyftx anticipates that the institutional infrastructure supporting these payments—covering over-the-counter liquidity, custody, and yield services—could unlock new revenue streams, estimated at around $1.3 billion by 2033 if transaction and custody costs stay near 0.5% of volume.