Hello,

As a resident of Crimea with a Crimean residence permit, I am unable to use Paypal or Payoneer. Could anyone please provide information on paying freelancers (such as designers and artists) using cryptocurrency, whether through exchanges or privately?

I understand that this may not yet be a common practice, but is it possible to discuss using cryptocurrency as a payment method with long-term customers? Perhaps it's not too difficult for them to purchase Ethereum through Paypal and transfer it, but I do realize that this may create unnecessary complications. While this might deter some individuals from taking up these services, it could still be worth exploring as an alternative to traditional Paypal transactions.

During the rise of bitcoin, some Silicon Valley companies offered to pay with cryptocurrency, and there are still many startups willing to work with it. However, the use of cryptocurrencies in illegal businesses has been reported, so it's important to be cautious when dealing with them.
Legal transactions involving cryptocurrencies may still have connections to criminal activity, as in the case of cаsinos. It's worth noting that I'm not fully updated on the topic.

In terms of legal status, settlement in cryptocurrencies is not allowed . However, doing business in this international sphere is already deemed illegal. Although one may use cryptocurrencies in a contract, it will not be protected by the state due to the lack of legal provisions. In essence, it would be considered as barter. Furthermore, selling cryptocurrencies for rubles in order to pay taxes is not allowed, as the legislation is unable to keep up with the rapidly evolving digital assets industry.

Interestingly, despite the lack of prohibition on owning cryptocurrencies, the law obliges every individual to report their digital assets. Failure to do so may result in complete or partial loss of these assets being taken away by the authorities.

The discretion to allow cryptocurrency payments on exchanges is up to the site administration. Some freelance exchanges like Crypto Jobs, ETHLance, Freelance For Coins, and Crypto Currency Jobs already support this payment option. I'm not sure if traditional exchanges plan to support virtual currency or if they already do. Nonetheless, it's a good idea for exchanges to offer this option since they already charge a commission for their services.

For direct work, negotiation with the customer will have to be done on a case-by-case basis. If you're a skilled specialist, the client may be willing to pay in cryptocurrency, especially if you offer them a discount. Purchasing coins is easy and can be done through P2P exchangers, online exchangers, and other methods.

In order to receive payment in cryptocurrency, it's recommended to use stablecoins. These cryptocurrencies have exchange rates tied to national currencies, such as Tether (USDT) which is tied to the US dollar. Stablecoins are more reliable than volatile currencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), which can fluctuate in value.
While there is a possibility of gaining more with volatile currencies, there is also a risk of losing out.

Using cryptocurrency as a payment method can indeed be a viable alternative for freelancers who are unable to use services like Paypal or Payoneer. While it may not be a common practice yet, it is worth exploring with long-term customers who are open to using cryptocurrency.

To accept cryptocurrency payments, you can set up a cryptocurrency wallet and provide your customers with your wallet address. This will allow them to send the payment directly to your wallet. There are various cryptocurrency wallets available, both online and offline, so you can choose one that suits your needs and preferences.

You can discuss the option of using cryptocurrency as a payment method with your customers and explain the benefits it offers, such as faster transactions, lower fees, and increased privacy. You can also guide them on how to purchase cryptocurrencies like Ethereum through exchanges or other platforms. While this may create some initial complications, it can be a worthwhile alternative, especially for customers who value your services and are open to trying new payment methods.

It's important to keep in mind that the use of cryptocurrency may not be suitable for all customers or industries, so it's essential to have open and transparent communication about payment options and find the best solution for both parties involved.