This freelancing platform lets customers pay with cryptocurrency

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The online freelancing economy has experienced a significant boom in recent years, largely reflecting the shift in workplace habits and changing attitudes toward cost-effective business solutions.

Upwork CEO Stephane Kasriel, whose business has led the way for the online outsourcing industry, pointed out how people’s work is changing.

“People don’t stay at one company for 25 years anymore. […] Some people need to take care of their families, and flexible working situations are not just a choice but also a necessity for them. […] And the new generation demands a more flexible work lifestyle.”

But the system remains imperfect until now, as greater access to work and career opportunities comes with several drawbacks.

For one, outsourcing platforms tend to charge high fees on both ends of the transaction. Also, veteran freelancers can push themselves to the forefront without real merit, thanks to unbalanced systems, making it harder for new entrants to stand out and win contracts.

However, the blockchain technology and some companies that take advantage of the infrastructure’s decentralized nature could change that reality for the better.

A blockchain-based freelancing platform

Australian startup CanYa has created a platform that seeks to eliminate middlemen and many persisting issues facing greater freelancing adoption. The company offers freelancers and service seekers a simplified platform that highlights transparency and fairness.

CanYa provides a peer-to-peer network that eliminates broker platforms and lets service providers interface directly with their clients. One of the biggest benefits for users is the automation of the ranking system, which doesn’t reward those with higher customer ratings. The non-merit-based system closes loopholes that savvy users could exploit to increase their visibility at the expense of others.

The company also offers a new payment system based on their cryptocurrency called CanYa Tokens or CAN. Service providers can handle all their transactions with CAN. The currency can be easily exchanged into other major cryptos such as bitcoin, ether, and even fiat currencies—free of fees.

CanYa is looking to grow, launching a token presale and ICO in the near future to meet their ambitions for expansion.

Possible benefits to Asia

Despite issues associated with existing platforms, Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan still make up a sizable portion of the overall freelancing economy. Hence, they are uniquely positioned to take advantage of an ecosystem such as CanYa for their contracting needs.

With end-to-end service, platforms like CanYa could simplify the way many external contractors in Asia seek work and receive payments. They can also empower service providers to take control of their workflow and earn money based on their potential. They are also not limited to tech-related industries, as providers can advertise anything from highly specialized jobs to per-hour services, making it easier for freelancers to participate and benefit.

Apparent competition