NEAR Foundation Transitions to Toku for All-In-One Crypto-Native Solutions

The NEAR Foundation has transitioned to Toku to unify its global payroll, token grant administration, and Employer of Record (EOR) operations under one crypto-native platform. With a flexible compensation model spanning fiat and tokens across multiple jurisdictions, NEAR Foundation needed a partner capable of handling token grants, global payroll compliance, and complex contributor preferences. Toku delivered a smooth transition from prior Web2 providers while offering automated tax compliance, multi-currency payroll support, and a dedicated high-touch service model for NEAR’s global workforce.

NEAR Foundation (NF) is a Switzerland-based nonprofit dedicated to enabling community-driven innovation and supporting the growth of the NEAR Protocol, a high-performance, decentralized Layer-1 blockchain designed for building scalable applications. NEAR’s global contributor base spans dozens of countries, roles, and payment types—reflecting the global nature of open-source and blockchain ecosystems.

To support this community, NEAR Foundation operates with a forward-thinking compensation model that includes both fiat payroll and token-based compensation. While this approach provides flexibility for contributors and employees, it also introduces operational and compliance complexity—especially when working with legacy Web2 payroll and Employer of Record (EOR) providers.

As NEAR’s global workforce expanded, the limitations of their prior providers became increasingly clear, leading NF to search for a more modern, crypto-native solution capable of supporting the organization's scale, compliance requirements, and contributor needs.

The Challenge: Managing Global Payroll + Token Grants With Legacy Systems

NEAR Foundation’s compensation framework included:

• Local fiat payroll
• Token grants and token-based compensation
• Contributors with varying payout preferences
• Multi-jurisdictional tax obligations
• Compliance requirements across diverse regulatory regimes

However, their previous EOR providers were not designed to handle token-based compensation or flexible payment preferences. This created several operational challenges:

1. Extensive Manual Work for Token Grant Management

Token compensation requires:

• Accurate tax calculations
• Valuation at grant, vest, and exercise
• Jurisdiction-specific reporting
• Compliance documentation
• Payroll synchronization across contributors

The NF team frequently needed to intervene manually to ensure accuracy and compliance—work that should be automated through a fit-for-purpose platform.

2. Inability to Support Flexible Compensation Options

Employees and contributors often preferred:

• 100% fiat
• 100% tokens
• A hybrid of both

Their prior EOR providers did not support this level of flexibility, creating friction for employees and burdening NF’s People Operations team.

3. Inefficient Processes as the Organization Scaled

As the Foundation grew, so did:

• Compliance overhead
• Tax complexity
• Cross-border payroll challenges
• Administrative cost and time

Scaling internal operations to meet these demands was becoming unsustainable.

NEAR Foundation needed a partner built for crypto-native compensation, capable of handling token payroll with the same efficiency and compliance as traditional payroll.‍

The Solution: Toku’s All-In-One Crypto-Native Payroll and Compensation Platform

With deep expertise in transitioning Web2-managed organizations into crypto-native workflows, Toku provided NEAR Foundation with an end-to-end solution tailored to its unique compensation and workforce needs.

Streamlined Transition From Legacy Providers

Toku ensured the entire migration—from payroll data to token grants—was:

• Structured
• Transparent
• Efficient
• Minimally disruptive

By coordinating directly with NEAR’s previous EOR partners and handling technical and administrative workflows, Toku eliminated the need for NF’s team to perform labor-intensive manual tasks during the transition.

Flexible, Contributor-Centered Compensation

One of NF’s top priorities was enabling contributors to choose how they prefer to get paid.

Toku implemented a global pay preference program that allowed employees to be paid in:

• Fiat
• Tokens
• A customized mix of both

No matter the format, Toku’s platform automated tax withholding, payroll processing, and reporting across all participating jurisdictions.

Purpose-Built Support for Token Grants

Toku handled NFT’s token grant administration, including:

• Automated tax calculation for token-based compensation
• Ongoing compliance across multiple geographies
• Token valuation and reporting
• Integrated workflows for payroll and grant vesting

This significantly reduced operational burden while improving accuracy and transparency.

Dedicated, High-Touch Partner Support

NF received:

• A dedicated project manager
• Ongoing operational oversight
• Continuous compliance monitoring
• Tailored support for people operations, payroll, and token grants

This high-touch service ensured seamless alignment between NF’s workflows and Toku’s platform capabilities.

What NEAR Foundation Says

“We were looking for a partner who understood the complexities of token compensation and could support a smooth transition from our previous Web2 provider. Toku's expertise in both areas has been extremely helpful, and their attentive service made the transition much easier.”
— Franka Bestmann, Director of People Operations — NEAR Foundation

Business Impact

By transitioning to Toku, NEAR Foundation gained:

1. Complete Crypto-Native Payroll Support

Toku unified fiat and token payroll into a single compliant workflow.

2. Simplified Token Grant Administration

No more manual tracking, tax calculations, or fragmented reporting.

3. Scalable Global Compliance

Automated systems ensured accurate tax handling and jurisdictional compliance.

4. Better Contributor Experience

Contributors choose how they get paid — fiat, tokens, or both.

5. Significant Reduction in Manual Work

Toku removed the administrative overhead that was slowing down NF’s operations.

A Partner for Long-Term Growth

NEAR Foundation’s transition to Toku isn't just an operational upgrade — it is a strategic move to align payroll, token grants, and global compensation with the realities of a blockchain-driven workforce.

With Toku, NF now operates with:

• Greater efficiency
• Stronger compliance
• Reduced manual workload
• A future-proof compensation infrastructure

Want to Modernize Your Global Payroll?

Toku helps global organizations manage:

• Token grants
• Global payroll
• Employer of Record services
• Stablecoin payroll
• Hybrid fiat + token compensation

Get in touch with our team to learn more.