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Shenzhen court: Virtual currency should not and cannot be used as a wage standard

On November 28, according to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone News, the People's Court of Qianhai Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen recently ruled that in labor dispute cases, the agreement to pay wages with virtual currency is invalid, clearly stating that virtual currency does not have legal tender status and should not and cannot be used as a wage payment standard. In the case, Zhou claimed that the monthly salary agreed with the company was 45,000 yuan, of which 25,000 yuan was paid in the form of USDT. However, the court found that the virtual currency was not legally compensatory, the relevant agreement violated laws and regulations, and the existing evidence was insufficient to prove that the company agreed to pay additional virtual currency wages, so it was not supported. The court also found that the company illegally terminated the employment contract and needed to compensate Zhou 10,000 yuan. The Labor Law of the People's Republic of China and the Interim Provisions on Wage Payment clearly require that wages should be paid in legal currency. The judge reminded that employers cannot pay wages in virtual currency, and workers have the right to refuse and request payment in RMB to ensure legal protection.