JAM-DEX, USDC and crypto compared
JAM-DEX
Issued by the Bank of Jamaica. It is legal tender, worth exactly the same as cash, and you hold it in a licensed wallet app from your bank.
- Wallets: Lynk (NCB) was first. JN Bank was onboarded as the second provider, and more are in testing.
- The BOJ expects about 40% of points of sale to accept it by mid-2027.
- It runs on the BOJ's own system, not a public blockchain, so it can't be sent to a crypto wallet.
USDC
A digital US dollar issued by Circle, a private US company, and backed by cash and short-term US government bonds.
- Holds steady at about US$1.
- Moves on public blockchains like Solana and Ethereum, to anyone in the world, any time of day.
- Not legal tender in Jamaica.
- This is what our payment links use.
Bitcoin, Ether, SOL
The native coins of public blockchains. No government or company issues them, and their prices move every minute.
- Prices can rise or fall sharply in a day: see Markets.
- Used to pay network fees and as an investment.
- Not legal tender in Jamaica. Only send what you can afford to lose.
| JAM-DEX | USDC | BTC · ETH · SOL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Bank of Jamaica | Circle (US company) | No issuer |
| Value | J$1 = J$1 | About US$1 | Changes constantly |
| Legal tender in Jamaica | Yes | No | No |
| Where you hold it | Bank wallet app (Lynk, JN) | Your own crypto wallet (e.g. Phantom) | Your own crypto wallet |
| Pay overseas | No, Jamaica only | Yes, worldwide | Yes, worldwide |
| Price risk | None in J$ | Low (moves with the US$ vs J$ rate) | High |
How card payments move in Jamaica
When a customer pays you with a Jamaican bank card, the money travels through networks the banks share. Here is what happens to a local debit card payment at a shop.
JETS
Owned by Jamaican banks, building societies and the Credit Union League. It runs the shared networks below. Businesses can't join it directly. You reach it through your bank.
MultiLink
Connects ABMs and card machines across banks, so any local debit card works at any machine. In 2023: about 868 ABMs, about 19,900 card machines and around 1.9 million debit cards in use.
ACH
Clears bank transfers, direct deposits, direct debits and cheques between banks. Good for salaries and regular client payments. Ask your bank about listing you as a biller or setting up direct debits.
JamClear-RTGS
The central bank's system where banks settle with each other in central bank money, final and irrevocable. MultiLink and the ACH both settle through it.
Payment services for Jamaican organisations
Ways a Jamaican business, school, church or charity can take payments today. Filter by what you need.
NCB Payment Gateway
Visa and Mastercard on your website, settled in J$ to your NCB account.
Needs business registration, TRN and an NCB business account. Setup typically takes a few weeks.
Scotiabank eCommerce
Card payments on your website, settled to your Scotiabank account.
Best suited to established businesses with steady sales volume.
First Atlantic Commerce
The processing platform behind many Caribbean bank gateways, with 3-D Secure and plugins for WooCommerce and other stores.
Usually arranged through your bank.
WiPay
Online card payments, payment links and invoices, with lighter onboarding than a bank gateway.
Fygaro
Payment links, online checkout and invoicing for small businesses and organisations.
Lynk
Customers pay by scanning your QR code, in J$ or JAM-DEX. Good for counters, markets, taxis and events.
Built for local J$ payments, not website card checkout or overseas cards.
JN Bank wallet
JN Bank's digital wallet, its members' route into JAM-DEX for transfers and bill payments.
PayPal
Familiar to overseas buyers and the diaspora. Jamaicans can open business accounts.
Check current fees, withdrawal options and possible account holds before relying on it.
2Checkout
International card processing that lists Jamaica among supported merchant countries.
Confirm eligibility and payout terms when you apply.
USDC payment links This site
Price in J$, get paid in USDC on Solana. The page confirms the payment in seconds and we get an email.
Fees are under 1¢. The customer needs a crypto wallet.
Stripe and Square Not in Jamaica
Neither accepts Jamaica-based businesses directly. Stripe is only possible through a company registered in a supported country, such as the US, which adds cost and filings.
JAM-DEX figures: Bank of Jamaica, reported by the Jamaica Observer, 23 Aug 2026. MultiLink figures: Jamaica Observer, Oct 2023; payment system structure: World Bank FSAP for Jamaica. Providers, fees and requirements change, so confirm with each provider before signing up. Checked October 2026. Not financial advice.
Ready to take digital payments?
Tell us what you sell and how your customers like to pay. We'll recommend the right mix of card gateway, QR, JAM-DEX and USDC, then set it up in your website, POS or CRM.