Guide for freelancers in LATAM: get paid in USD from Upwork and Fiverr without high commissions

Freelance work in Latin America is growing by leaps and bounds. On Upwork and Fiverr alone, millions of professionals offer their services to clients from all over the world, and a large part of those payments arrive in dollars. But the big question is: how to get paid in USD in a simple way, with less commissions and immediate access to your money?

In this guide we solve all your doubts with clear data, examples and best practices to optimize every dollar you earn.

The freelancing boom in LATAM

In countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia or Peru, the number of freelancers is growing every year. According to Payoneer data, more than 60% of freelancers in LATAM prefer to be paid in dollars to protect their income from inflation and local devaluation.

In addition, platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr concentrate clients from the United States and Europe, which means that a large part of the payments arrive in hard currency. The challenge is to receive those dollars without losing them in unnecessary commissions.

The most common problems when cashing out on Upwork and Fiverr

If you work as a freelancer, you've probably already encountered some of these obstacles:

• Hidden commissions: in addition to what the platform retains, traditional methods often subtract up to an additional 5% on conversions.
• Waiting times: some international transfers may take 3 to 7 business days.
• Non-transparent exchange rates: many times the dollar you receive is neither the official nor the real one in the market.
• Access limitations: not all local banks allow receiving direct transfers from abroad.

Options available to cash in USD

1. Traditional transfers to local banks

They are slow, expensive and with little exchange rate transparency. They are usually the least convenient option.

2. Third-party platforms (PayPal, Payoneer, Wise)

They are fast and popular, but fees are still high. On average, a withdrawal can cost between 3% and 5% of your total payment.

3. Digital wallets in USD (such as CiNKO)

They allow receiving direct payments from US banks, deposits in USDT or USDC, and withdrawing them in local currency or using them with an international Visa card. In the case of CiNKO, the commission is fixed: only 1 USD per withdrawal, with no hidden percentages.

Step by step: how to get paid in dollars from Upwork and Fiverr

1. Connect your withdrawal method
   From the platform, select the "Bank Transfer" or "USD Wallet" option.
2. Receive your funds in dollars
   You can choose to receive them in your digital wallet directly in USD or in stablecoins such as USDT.
3. Access your money
   • Withdraw it to your local bank.
   • Use your international card to pay online or at physical stores.
   • Or keep the dollars as savings in your digital wallet.

Numbers that make a difference

• An average freelancer in LATAM earns between $15 and $30 USD per hour on Upwork (depending on the industry).
• On a $1,000 USD project, you could lose up to $100 in commissions if you use traditional methods.
• With CiNKO, the commission is fixed: 1 USD per withdrawal, which allows you to keep more of your money.

Your money, without borders

Being a freelancer in LATAM today is a huge opportunity: you work for global clients, get paid in dollars and protect your income from local volatility. The key is to use tools that give you control and transparency over your money.

With CiNKO, you receive your payments from Upwork and Fiverr in USD and access them quickly, simply and paying only 1 USD commission per withdrawal.

👉 F inal tip: before taking on a large project, review which retirement method you will be charging. A simple change in your choice can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

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