Ask HN: Best way to receive payment? No bank account or PayPal

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11137680

8 7 10 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Hi,

I'm from Brazil, I don't have a bank account with SWIFT access nor PayPal, I've been trying to explore different options for getting paid by international clients and I haven't found any.

Every time I mention Bitcoin to clients they just laugh and don't take me seriously, Bitwage looks interesting but I haven't tried it yet, it also sounds a bit risky.

Any suggestions please?

orionblastar• 10 years ago

Here are some Paypal alternatives: http://lifehacker.com/5821634/why-you-should-ditch-paypal-an...

I don't know if they let you receive payments without a bank account or credit card.

In the USA the Patriot Act requires bank account verification for online payments to prevent terrorists from using services. Since Paypal and other companies are in the USA they have to follow US law. Even if you are in Brazil.

You might have to have someone write you a check and use that to create a bank account for use with Paypal.

Even if they pay to a Bitcoin address, how can you withdraw money without using a bank account?

ApplaudPumice• 10 years ago

Everything outside of USA is called a terrorist.

JonCheBitwage• 10 years ago

Hi Grover,

Jonathan Chester from Bitwage here. We can definitely help you receive your wages in Brazil. We specialize in helping international freelancers invoice their companies without necessarily requiring the company to sign up. We already have freelancers/contractors receiving payments as well as employers sending payments over.

We currently help freelancers, contractors and workers receive wages from large companies such as Facebook, Google and even the U.S. Navy. We have received investment from top quality investors, such as Tim Draper through Draper Associates, and Orange Silicon Valley through Orange Fab. We also have insurance and have been vetted by top rated cyber liability insurance experts in order to obtain this insurance.

You can find media on us by searching us online or checking out these resources:

http://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-payroll-startup-raises-760k-...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanchester/2015/12/03/start...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitwage

If you are interested and would like to learn more, please email me at Jonathan@bitwage.com

Best,

Jonathan

emersonrsantos• 10 years ago

Have you tried Western Union?

davismwfl• 10 years ago

Non-judgemental question here, but why don't you have a standard bank account in Brazil that is internationally recognized? e.g. local banks in most countries still participate in SWIFT for wire transfers etc. From a quick look at SWIFT codes, there are a lot of banks in Brazil that participate internationally and have a SWIFT code. That all said, I know in the U.S. there are plenty of people that have a hard time getting a bank account for various reasons, and it can be really hard for them to participate in business transactions where they are not physically present.

I would say the easiest way is if you had an account people could wire money to (even if you immediately withdrew it), it is simple, predictable and easy enough to do. Outside of that, getting paid by U.S. companies will likely be difficult and may prevent you from getting any significant work from here. U.S. companies have to comply with lots of reasonable and valid laws along with some horribly stupid ones too, but for us to keep our companies/accounts in good standing most comply. I would also think that most U.S. companies would not take you very seriously even as a freelancer if you don't have some sort of a bank account, regardless of whether anyone feels it is fair or not that is likely the reality. Bitcoin is good and all, but from what I have seen it is still fairly fringe for outgoing payment transactions at most companies.

I am not judging but just thinking of the realities if you are trying to do business in the U.S. And from having personally done a little business in Europe it is basically very similar in the overall structure & hoops you have to go through as a non-citizen to get paid, although there are some differences of course. Not that the U.S. and Europe are the only markets to find clients, but I am assuming you are trying to target businesses from both.

zerr• 10 years ago

Skrill (Moneybookers) ?

wprapido• 10 years ago

check out payoneer prepaid debit cards. they are widely used by freelancers in south america, asia, eastern europe and the US clients are fine with them, given you get a virtual US bank account. verification is simple. all it takes is a scanned copy of your passport or ID. payoneer could be also used to verify a paypal account

Ask HN: Best way to receive payment? No bank account or PayPal

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