S3E4 - What Every CFO Should Know About On-Chain Payroll
In this episode of Niche to Necessity, host Taylor Zork sits down with Hugo Finkelstein, co-founder and CEO of Rise, the pioneering hybrid payroll platform built for the future of work.
💡 Whether you’re a CFO, founder, or finance leader, this episode breaks down what you really need to know about integrating on-chain payroll, staying compliant, and leveraging crypto and stablecoins to streamline global operations.
📌 You’ll learn:
- Why hybrid payroll (fiat + crypto) is the future of global teams
- How Rise handles compliance at an enterprise level—even as a startup
- The impact of instant, borderless payments on contractor retention
- How smart contracts can eliminate the need for payday loans
- Why CFOs need to start thinking about blockchain rails now
🧠With firsthand examples from Web2 agencies and DAOs to expats and enterprise conversations, Hugo shares how Rise is reshaping how teams get paid—and why it matters for your business.
📍 Timestamps:
00:00 – Hugo’s startup journey & Rise's origin
03:30 – What “hybrid payroll” actually means
07:15 – Compliance programs that rival the banks
12:00 – On-chain payroll: smart contracts, taxes, and instant pay
18:00 – Rise’s expansion plans & new financial products
25:00 – Use cases: from anonymous DAO contributors to Web2 contractors
30:00 – What CFOs should be thinking about in 2025
🔥 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more
#CryptoCFOs #Rise #Fintech #Web3Business #HybridPayroll #CryptoPayments #SmartContracts #NicheToNecessity #RisePayroll
💡 Whether you’re a CFO, founder, or finance leader, this episode breaks down what you really need to know about integrating on-chain payroll, staying compliant, and leveraging crypto and stablecoins to streamline global operations.
📌 You’ll learn:
- Why hybrid payroll (fiat + crypto) is the future of global teams
- How Rise handles compliance at an enterprise level—even as a startup
- The impact of instant, borderless payments on contractor retention
- How smart contracts can eliminate the need for payday loans
- Why CFOs need to start thinking about blockchain rails now
🧠With firsthand examples from Web2 agencies and DAOs to expats and enterprise conversations, Hugo shares how Rise is reshaping how teams get paid—and why it matters for your business.
📍 Timestamps:
00:00 – Hugo’s startup journey & Rise's origin
03:30 – What “hybrid payroll” actually means
07:15 – Compliance programs that rival the banks
12:00 – On-chain payroll: smart contracts, taxes, and instant pay
18:00 – Rise’s expansion plans & new financial products
25:00 – Use cases: from anonymous DAO contributors to Web2 contractors
30:00 – What CFOs should be thinking about in 2025
🔥 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more
#CryptoCFOs #Rise #Fintech #Web3Business #HybridPayroll #CryptoPayments #SmartContracts #NicheToNecessity #RisePayroll
Creators and Guests

Producer
Brandon "Bova" Santiago
Helping finance pros build and grow their practice in the $5B tax / accounting Web3 space.

Producer
Brian Whalen CPA
Here for #TaxTwitter. Cannabis & #CryptoTax for fun, Blaise’s Dad, Veteran of Nuclear Navy, #CPA firm owner, Cannabis Landlord

Producer
CryptoCFOs
Teaching you to navigate the complex and evolving DeFi and crypto landscape to level up your tax or accounting practice.
