The rise of the gig economy has enabled a new type of freelancer. The borderless freelancer, also known as a “digital nomad.” These individuals are not tied down to a specific location and can live and work from anywhere in the world. However, being a borderless freelancer comes with its own set of unique challenges, particularly when it comes to getting paid across borders. This is where Empowch comes in as a solution specifically designed for the needs of borderless freelancers, even if they don’t have a bank account. 

Covid19 has only accelerated the trend towards borderless freelancing, as many traditional employees have turned to the gig economy out of necessity. Despite the risks and downsides, there are many benefits to being a borderless freelancer, such as the ability to experience different cultures and work with clients from around the world. Empowch’s payments platform linked to a freelancers self-custody mobile wallet, enables freelancers to send and receive money in any country from any country in local currency, making the dream of being a true digital nomad a reality. 

In this blog post, we will explore the challenges that borderless freelancers face in terms of payments, the benefits of being a borderless freelancer, and how Empowch can help to alleviate some of the risks and challenges by providing a reliable and affordable way to send and receive cross-border payments. 

One of the greatest challenges faced by borderless freelancers is how to receive payment in the local currency of the country they are working in. Traditional payment methods such as bank transfers or debit card payments can be expensive and unreliable or may not even be supported in certain countries. This can make it difficult for freelancers to receive payment from their clients or to access their earnings in a way that suits their needs.  

Empowch’s payments platform addresses these challenges by enabling peer-to-peer transactions between freelancers and their clients, which can be sent directly to the freelancer’s self-custody mobile wallet. From there, freelancers can use their wallet to pay for local services using QR codes or withdraw cash from one of Empowch’s participating “human ATM’s” or cash-out partners. This provides borderless freelancers with a reliable and affordable way to access their earnings and spend their money in the local currency, no matter where they are in the world. 

Borderless freelancing is not for everyone. Living and working in different countries requires a constant adaptation to new cultures and customs, which can be challenging and overwhelming at times. Additionally, working remotely can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially when moving to new locations frequently as you lose physical connection with friends. Another challenge is the need to maintain a stable income stream as a freelancer, which can be difficult when working across different time zones and currencies. However, with the right tools and mindset, borderless freelancing can be a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle for those who value flexibility and independence. It offers a unique opportunity to experience different cultures and work with clients from around the world. Solving payments for borderless freelancers opens up new opportunities for travel and discovery. 

McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey on independent work  (American economic opportunity in 2022 | McKinsey ) estimates that independent workers, including freelancers, contractors, temporary, or gig workers, now constitute around 36% of the total American labour market, a significant increase from the 28% captured in a similar survey run in 2016. Moreover, 70% of gig workers in the US consider these jobs their primary sources of income, with the rest pursuing side projects to supplement their earnings. 

In the MENA region, with an unemployment rate reaching 10.6% in 2021, according to the World Bank,  is an opportune time to find new avenues of employment via the gig economy. A recent survey released by Bayt.com highlights this trend, with upward of 70% of regional employers surveyed keen on hiring more freelancers. The payoffs are notable, with many citing unique advantages of doing so, such as faster delivery times, supplementing existing teams’ capacities, and finding it a cost-effective option. 

The survey also identified several sectors that bode particularly well for freelancers, such as digital marketing, information technology, customer service, human resources, graphic design, accounting, banking, and finance. In fact, 66% of employers said they had offered full-time employment opportunities to freelancers, especially as they enabled companies to achieve greater performance levels. 

Gig workers also found this arrangement equally worthwhile, citing the extra income streams, ability to explore new career paths, hone new skills, and work on fulfilling projects. More than 69% of gig workers resorted to professional platforms to find such opportunities or job listings. The MENA region’s creative classes can leverage the need for flexible staffing by employers, promising a significant boost to the gig economy as a whole. The gig edge can be encapsulated by creating MENA-focused online job marketplaces like Forlanso (Forlanso | Sign up)  to bring together the networks of gig workers and employers in mutually beneficial projects. 

Empowch is a payments and financial services platform that offers a simple and efficient solution for borderless freelancers. Using the Stellar blockchain, Empowch enables instant and secure peer-to-peer transactions between self-custody mobile wallets. This allows freelancers to send and receive payments from anywhere in the world, at any time of day or night, without having to rely on traditional banking systems or intermediaries.  

Empowch not only benefits freelancers by providing them with a borderless payment solution, but it also benefits those who contract them. With Empowch, businesses can contract the best freelancer of choice regardless of where that freelancer is located, and the freelancer does not need to have a bank account, a key feature of Empowch. Additionally, Empowch charges only 1% of any transaction over $300 per month, making it a cost-effective solution for all parties involved. By leveraging blockchain technology, Empowch provides a flexible and borderless payment solution that empowers freelancers to work and live on their own terms, while providing businesses with greater access to global talent. 

The rise of the gig economy and the increasing number of borderless freelancers underscores the importance of cross-border payments. Empowch’s platform offers a solution to the challenges of getting paid in different currencies and accessing funds in foreign countries. With its fast, affordable, and borderless payments, Empowch makes the dream of being a true digital nomad a reality. Not only do freelancers benefit from this solution, but also those who contract them, who can now choose the best talent from anywhere in the world without worrying about payment issues.  

We encourage readers to try Empowch for themselves and experience the benefits of seamless and affordable cross-border payments. We are in early test phase at the moment and are looking for feedback and input on what benefits are best for our Empowch community. Download the App today and test out how it can be of benefit to you and give us feedback.