Guides
Moving money across borders, explained
Plain answers on business accounts, payment rails and stablecoins. Each guide is written by Align's founder, reviewed by our compliance team and linked to its sources.
How to pay overseas suppliers from USDT or USDC
Most suppliers want a bank transfer, not crypto. How to turn a USDT or USDC balance into a SWIFT, SEPA or ACH payment in your company's name, step by step.
Updated · 5 min read
How to get a USD account as a non-US company
Four ways a company based outside the US can receive and send dollars: a US entity, a multi-currency fintech, a named virtual account or a SWIFT USD account.
Updated · 5 min read
Named vs pooled virtual IBANs: what's the difference and why it matters
A named virtual IBAN shows your company as the account holder. A pooled one shows your provider. Why that now matters for payee checks, reconciliation and AML.
Updated · 4 min read
SEPA Instant vs SWIFT: speed and cost for business payments
SEPA Instant settles euro payments in under 10 seconds at the price of a standard transfer. SWIFT reaches most banks within an hour but costs more. When to use each.
Updated · 4 min read
USDT vs USDC for business payments: which to hold and which to send
USDT dominates payments in emerging markets and on Tron. USDC has monthly reserve reports and MiCA authorization. How to choose for your treasury and counterparties.
Updated · 5 min read
How freight forwarders pay carriers and ports with stablecoins
No major ocean carrier accepts stablecoins. How forwarders paid in USDT by shippers still pay carriers, terminals and customs on time and keep demurrage down.
Updated · 4 min read
What documents you need to open a business account: KYB and source of funds explained
The documents a regulated provider asks for when you open a business account: company records, owners' IDs, proof of address and source of funds, and why.
Updated · 4 min read
How to get paid by US customers without a US entity
US customers prefer ACH and domestic wires. How a foreign company can receive them without a US entity, what Form W-8BEN-E is for, and what to put on your invoice.
Updated · 4 min read
The GENIUS Act: what non-US businesses need to know
The US stablecoin law takes effect by 18 January 2027. What it changes for companies outside the US that hold or receive USDT and USDC, and the 2028 date to watch.
Updated · 4 min read