Uphold Adds Zebec (ZBCN) to 6% Payroll Crypto Rewards Program
Uphold has launched a payroll deposit rewards program running through Dec. 31, 2025 that pays up to 6% back in crypto on eligible paycheck deposits routed through its platform. The reward breakdown: 4% paid in XRP, and 2% split evenly between SWMTX and Zebec’s native token ZBCN (1% each). The altcoin portion is capped at $50 per month and requires a minimum payroll deposit of $250. Uphold supports custodial custody of ZBCN (up to $100 million capacity), allowing recipients to hold rewards on-platform rather than immediately self-custody them. ZBCN has ~37 billion tokens circulating (~38% of a 100 billion max supply) and recent prices near $0.0027; the program ties token distribution to salary activity rather than exchange incentives. The initiative targets recurring payroll routing and expands Zebec’s distribution channels into a centralized retail platform, potentially increasing on-platform ZBCN holdings and user exposure to payroll-streaming use cases. The program is subject to Uphold eligibility, caps and compliance terms.
Neutral
This news is primarily distributional and product-level rather than protocol-changing, so immediate market impact should be limited. Inclusion of ZBCN in Uphold’s payroll reward program increases retail exposure and on-platform supply held by non-custodial-averse users, which can support demand for ZBCN over time. Short-term effects: modest buying interest may appear as users claim and hold rewards or as new payroll-linked inflows occur, but the altcoin reward cap ($50/month) and eligibility limits materially constrain large, rapid price moves. The 4% XRP component distributes most reward value away from ZBCN, further muting direct price pressure. Medium-to-long term: recurring payroll routing could create steady, utility-driven distribution and user adoption for Zebec’s payroll use case, which may improve on-chain activity and token velocity linked to real economic behavior rather than speculation. Historical parallels: exchange or custodial reward listings (e.g., staking/rewards launches by custodians) often produce modest, sustained demand rather than sharp pumps unless paired with large liquidity incentives. Risks: centralized custody increases token concentration on Uphold (potential sell pressure if users exit), compliance or eligibility changes, and overall crypto market trends. Overall, expect limited immediate volatility but a mild positive structural tailwind for ZBCN adoption if payroll usage grows.