Opolis received a development grant from MakerDAO to integrate its Dai cryptocurrency into its decentralized employer ecosystem for payroll and benefits, the company said.
A blockchain-based answer to the gig-economy’s rise, Opolis is a professional employment organization (PEO) that, in part, plans to facilitate seamless cross-border payments with Dai.
“Opolis is offering the best solution we've seen yet that can provide the security and benefits usually restricted to traditional workplaces,” Head of Community Development for MakerDAO Richard Brown said in a statement announcing the partnership. “Maker is looking forward to seeing how Dai can help de-risk this emerging workforce,” Brown said.
In an interview with CoinDesk, John Paller, Opolis founder, explained how the broader efficiency gains are also supported by lower transaction costs for gig workers who work across borders.
“We’re partnering up to create a more streamlined system for [international] payroll remittance,” Paller said. “This would eliminate lots of different burdens and wait times and expensive fees in the traditional banking system.”
Guild members will use the stablecoin to stake their membership, unlock heath insurance, pay into retirement plans and automate tax compliance, among other benefits. They may choose to receive payment in Dai or in fiat.
MakerDAO’s grant supports the company’s plan to build a Decentralized Employment Organization (DEO), a web of employment services targeted at non-traditional employees.
Opolis caters to full-time workers whose gig-style employment lacks conventional health and insurance benefit packages. Ride-share drivers, freelance writers and graphic designers seldom receive health care through their contracted employers, but can pay into Opolis to unlock those same benefits, for example.
“What we’re really doing is democratizing and creating sustainable benevolence in these ecosystems,” Paller said.“The goal is to become an infrastructure service utility that average people use.”
Guild membership applications will open on Nov. 1, Opolis announced today.
Image of cafe freelancers via Per Gosche of Flickr