How to Pay Contractors
in United Kingdom
Pay United Kingdom-based contractors via Faster Payments, CHAPS. Average settlement: < 2 hours.
United Kingdom Payment Overview
British Pound · GBP
How You Pay in United Kingdom
You fund in USD, stablecoin (USDC/USDT), or BTC. Your contractor in United Kingdom chooses how they receive it. Bitwage handles the conversion and routing.
Compliance screened
Optimal rail selected
Payment Rails Available in United Kingdom
Choose the right rail for each contractor. Click for full setup instructions.
How Bitwage Works in United Kingdom
Bitwage connects your USD balance to United Kingdom's local payment infrastructure. You fund once, we route to each contractor via their preferred rail.
Fund Your Balance
Deposit USD into your Bitwage Balance. No need to pre-convert to GBP.
Add Contractors
Enter each contractor's payment details — CLABE, IBAN, wallet address, or local account number. Or upload a CSV.
Execute & Settle
Bitwage locks the FX rate, converts, and routes via Faster Payments. You get a settlement confirmation for every payment.
Compliance Notes
UK contractors (including IR35 contractors) must register as self-employed with HMRC and submit self-assessment returns. Bitwage performs OFAC and UK HMT sanctions screening on every payment.
FX Considerations
GBP is one of the most liquid currencies. Bitwage locks the USD/GBP rate at execution. Post-Brexit, GBP has seen increased volatility, making rate-lock especially valuable for recurring payroll.
Key Terms
Paying Contractors in United Kingdom FAQ
Common questions about GBP payments, local rails, compliance, and FX.
Faster Payments typically settles in under 2 hours, and often within seconds for participating banks. It operates 24/7 and supports transfers up to £1,000,000 — covering the vast majority of contractor payment scenarios. Bitwage locks the USD/GBP rate with our fx rate lock before funds move.
UK contractors provide a 6-digit sort code and 8-digit account number. Bitwage validates these using the UK Modulus Check before the first payment. See contractor payments for the onboarding flow.
Bitwage handles payment mechanics — FX conversion, delivery, and batch payment execution — but IR35 status determination is the client's responsibility or that of a specialist UK employment law firm. Our contractor vs employee guide explains the key distinctions.
Yes. UK contractors can receive stablecoin payouts (USDC) to an EVM wallet if they prefer dollar-denominated income. This is common for UK crypto and fintech contractors who hold digital assets.
Revolut Business supports GBP transfers but lacks batch payroll and crypto payout options. Bitwage supports batch payment via CSV, USDC payouts, and recurring schedules. See our revolut for a detailed comparison.
Ready to Pay Contractors in United Kingdom?
Fund your Balance once. Pay via Faster Payments in < 2 hours.