Gig economy stories

Markable widens access as it opens Smart Deep Links, AutoDM and AI Product Collage to all creators in free push to boost affiliate sales.

The Real World rolls out expert-approved Campus Graduation Certificate to prove practical skills, as employers question the value of AI training.

Humanforce broadens frontline labour platform with Connect, uniting agency management, private marketplaces and contingent workforce orchestration.

Agoyu secures patent for AI-powered moving app that scans video inventories, matches licensed movers and returns quotes in minutes.

PayPal brings payment links into Canva for 265 million users, letting creators, entrepreneurs and small firms sell from designs with QR codes and checkouts.

Thunes has won the Best Cross-Border Payment Solution award at the MPE Awards 2026 after judges praised its global reach, FX pricing and compliance platform.

Bitcoin Depot debuts ReadyBucks, offering USD $500-$2,000 online cash advances to US gig workers and small firms across nine states.

EarnIn says US workers have made over 1m Live Pay transactions since July 2025, underscoring rising demand for real-time access to wages.

Employers plan to cut junior hiring as AI expands, leaving most staff feeling unprepared for rapid shifts in work and skills demand.

Digital marketplaces are empowering UK women to turn side hustles into scalable brands, bypassing traditional funding bottlenecks.

On-demand laundry platform Laundryheap has expanded into Colombia, Mexico, Malaysia and Scotland, as it accelerates its global rollout.

Tailor Brands now lets founders open business bank accounts as they form US LLCs, promising faster launches and integrated money tools.

GoCab secures USD $45m in equity and debt to expand gig driver vehicle financing and electric mobility across Africa and emerging markets.

TerraPay partners with MilX to speed cross-border payouts, giving YouTube creators faster local-currency access to earnings in 70+ markets.

Delivery Hero uses Twilio automated voice calls to cut rider contact by 25%, slash escalations over 60% and lift last-mile answer rates.

Language learning platform Preply secures $150 million to boost AI tools and global growth, valuing the business at $1.2 billion.

Refer A Friend launches an app that pays people commissions for referring local trades and services, charging businesses only per completed job.

Cybersecurity teams face digital border taxes, AI-first clouds, agentic AI threats and the end of VPNs as 2026 reshapes digital risk.

Mastercard partners with Thunes to enable near-instant payouts to stablecoin wallets via Mastercard Move, enhancing global digital payment options.

By 2026, AI will revolutionise banking and insurance, with over half of younger adults using generative AI for financial advice, says Forrester report.