February 8, 2026
Vulta vs Mercury: Getting Paid Without a US Bank Account
Vulta vs Mercury compared for international payments. Why freelancers and startups that can't access Mercury's US banking are turning to non-custodial crypto alternatives.
Mercury is one of the most popular neobanks among startups and tech companies. It offers a clean interface, no monthly fees, and a solid business banking experience. For companies incorporated in the US, it's often the go-to choice.
But Mercury requires a US business entity. If you don't have one — which is the reality for most freelancers and businesses outside the US — Mercury is simply not available to you.
What is Mercury?
Mercury is a US neobank designed for startups and tech companies. It offers checking and savings accounts, corporate cards, and treasury features. It requires a US-registered business entity and is available only to companies incorporated in the US (though the founders themselves can be based anywhere).
The Mercury Problem for International Freelancers
You need a US entity. Mercury requires a US LLC, C-Corp, or similar registered entity. You can't open a Mercury account as an individual or as a business incorporated in another country.
Delaware LLCs have costs. Forming a US LLC specifically to access US banking costs $200–500/year in state fees, plus registered agent fees, plus potential accounting costs. For many independent freelancers, this overhead doesn't make sense.
Wire transfers are still slow. Even with Mercury, sending money internationally via SWIFT takes days and has fees. Mercury is a US banking solution — it doesn't solve the international settlement problem.
Account risks. Mercury has closed accounts without warning, particularly for non-resident founders who triggered fraud screening.
What is Vulta?
Vulta is non-custodial payment infrastructure that requires no business registration, no US entity, and no bank account of any kind. You sign up with an email address, connect your crypto wallet, and start accepting payments in minutes.
Vulta vs Mercury: Head-to-Head
| Feature | Vulta | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Requires US entity | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Requires bank account | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Crypto settlement | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Card payment acceptance | ✅ Yes | ❌ (banking, not payments) |
| International reach | 180+ countries | US-focused |
| Setup time | 5 minutes | Days to weeks (entity required) |
| Monthly cost | $0–$20 | Free (banking fees vary) |
| KYC required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (business verification) |
| Settlement speed | Minutes | Days (SWIFT) |
| Account freeze risk | ❌ (non-custodial) | ✅ Possible |
They Solve Different Problems
To be fair, Mercury and Vulta aren't direct competitors. Mercury is a bank — it holds fiat USD and provides debit cards, wire transfers, and ACH payments. Vulta is a payment collection tool — it lets you receive payments that settle to a crypto wallet.
The comparison is relevant for international freelancers and businesses who are considering forming a US entity just to access Mercury's banking. For that use case, Vulta is often the better answer: skip the entity, skip the banking complexity, accept payments directly.
Who Mercury Is Right For
- US-incorporated startups and tech companies that need US business banking
- Founders who want corporate cards, treasury products, and USD accounts
- Companies processing payroll in USD to US employees
Who Vulta Is Right For
- International freelancers and businesses who can't or don't want to form a US entity
- Anyone who wants to accept client payments without a bank account
- Businesses that want crypto settlement instead of (or alongside) fiat banking
Conclusion
Mercury is excellent US business banking. If you're a US company, use Mercury. If you're an international freelancer or business who would need to form a US entity just to access Mercury, Vulta is a faster, more accessible path to getting paid internationally.
Start accepting international payments on Vulta — no entity, no bank account, no wait.