Companies are designing payment platforms and cryptocurrencies specifically for the sharing economy, which they say is in need of a more fair and efficient path to compensation. But gig workers are often in financially uncertain situations to begin with, and paychecks in bitcoin will make life more risky for them, said Niam Yaraghi, assistant professor at the University of Connecticut’s business school and co-author of a recent report on the sharing economy, to CNBC. “If I say this year I’m spending one-tenth of a bitcoin on office supplies, how much will I be spending next year in bitcoin?” Yaraghi asked. “I don't think there’s anyone in the world who can answer that question. It’s very, very dangerous.”