Executive Summary
Paystand announced the launch of USDb, a USD‑backed stablecoin built on Bitcoin’s Liquid network and the Rootstock (RSK) layer‑2 solution. The token is fully collateralized 1:1 with U.S. dollar reserves and is positioned as infrastructure for the $100 trillion B2B economy rather than retail or speculative crypto trading. Ibib is the first minting partner and liquidity provider, and Paystand plans to roll out USDb across its own network before expanding to external partners throughout 2026.
What Happened
During a live presentation at Bitcoin Las Vegas, Paystand revealed USDb and explained its technical architecture. The stablecoin operates simultaneously on the Liquid sidechain, which offers fast, confidential Bitcoin transfers, and on RSK, which provides smart‑contract capabilities compatible with Ethereum tooling. By leveraging both layers, USDb aims to combine Bitcoin’s security with the programmability needed for enterprise workflows.
Ibex, a digital‑asset platform, will serve as the inaugural minting partner, creating the first supply of USDb and supplying liquidity for early transactions. Paystand will initially issue USDb within its own ecosystem, allowing its existing network of more than one million businesses to settle invoices and payroll in a stable, dollar‑denominated digital format.
Background / Context
Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, Paystand has built a full‑stack CFO platform through a series of acquisitions, including Yaydoo, Teampay and Bitwage. Bitwage, acquired in November 2025, already processes payroll for over 90 000 workers across nearly 200 countries, giving Paystand an immediate cross‑border payment corridor for USDb. The company processes accounts receivable and payable for more than one million businesses in North America and Latin America, handling upwards of $20 billion in payment volume each year.
Paystand operates Paystand.org, a nonprofit that promotes financial inclusion via Bitcoin. Its dual‑licensing strategy seeks to secure U.S. regulatory compliance by the end of 2026 while maintaining existing digital‑asset and wallet licenses in key international jurisdictions. This regulatory groundwork underpins the launch of USDb, ensuring the token can be used in regulated B2B environments.
Reactions
Industry observers noted that Paystand’s focus on enterprise use cases differentiates USDb from the retail‑oriented stablecoins that dominate most blockchain networks. Analysts highlighted the combination of Liquid’s settlement speed and RSK’s smart‑contract flexibility as a compelling technical proposition for ERP integration and AI‑driven machine‑to‑machine transactions.
Partners in the Paystand ecosystem, including large ERP vendors and multinational corporations, expressed interest in testing USDb for invoice financing and payroll automation. While no official quotes were released, Paystand’s leadership emphasized that the token is designed to reduce friction in B2B payments, especially for cross‑border workflows that traditionally rely on costly correspondent banking channels.
What It Means
USDb represents a concrete step toward mainstreaming Bitcoin‑based infrastructure in corporate finance. By anchoring the stablecoin to U.S. dollar reserves and embedding it in ERP‑compatible APIs, Paystand aims to provide a reliable, programmable medium of exchange for enterprises that need to settle in a stable currency without the volatility of traditional crypto assets.
The dual‑layer deployment also signals a broader trend of leveraging Bitcoin’s security while extending functionality through sidechains and layer‑2 solutions. If successful, USDb could become a model for other enterprise‑focused stablecoins that require both settlement speed and programmable logic.
What Happens Next
Paystand plans to expand USDb availability beyond its own network over the course of 2026, targeting external partners that need stable, dollar‑denominated settlement on Bitcoin’s infrastructure. The company will seek additional minting partners to increase liquidity and will work with regulators to finalize its U.S. compliance framework before the end of the year.
Stakeholders can expect pilot programs with ERP providers and payroll processors in the coming months, as well as further announcements regarding cross‑border corridors that leverage Bitwage’s existing payroll network. The rollout will be closely watched by enterprises seeking alternatives to traditional banking for high‑value B2B transactions.