On March 17, 2026, the LayerDrone network will launch on Base Mainnet, and LayerDrone will begin issuing USDC rewards to Spexi pilots. This FAQ answers pilot questions for the USDC upgrade.
Until March 17th, rewards will still be issued in the form of cash via the current Stripe system. This includes any successful missions uploaded and verified by the network before March 16th at 10pm PDT.
How will the change to USDC happen?
On March 17, 2026, all active missions will be closed and then reactivated with USDC rewards. The value of the rewards will stay the same. To prepare for the change, the last new missions with Stripe payout will go live on March 13, 2026. Reservation capabilities will pause on March 14th. After March 17, reservation capabilities will return.
How do I get paid starting March 17?
Starting March 17, 2026, LayerDrone will issue pilot rewards as USDC: a digital currency with the same value as the US Dollar. After a successful mission is verified by the network, you'll receive USDC in the digital wallet connected to your Spexi account .
This new process will completely replace the Stripe payment process.
How are USDC rewards for Canadian pilots being determined?
Canadian pilots earn $7.50 USD for a standard mapping mission in Q1 2026 (missions that don't require special permits).
This is calculated from the existing $10 CAD reward rate, converted using the official exchange rate at the start of the quarter and rounded to the nearest $0.50 USD. This rate stays fixed for the full quarter, unless exchange rates shift significantly for a prolonged period.
What happens to Reputation Points (RP)?
RPs aren't going anywhere. You'll keep your existing balance, continue earning them for every successful mission, and reservations will work exactly as before — all within the Spexi App.
As part of the move to USDC rewards, LayerDrone will now issue RP rewards directly — the same way it's handling your USDC payouts.
As the network grows, LayerDrone may update the points and reservation system, but any changes will be communicated in advance.
Understanding USDC and Base
What is USDC?
USDC is a digital currency with the same value as a US Dollar.
What is Base?
LayerDrone rewards are distributed on Base, which is why you'll see references to it when transferring your USDC.
Base is a fast, low-cost blockchain network for sending and receiving digital assets like USDC. It's built on top of Ethereum, which means it inherits Ethereum's security while keeping transaction fees very low — typically just a few cents or less.
What is “gas” and do I need to worry about it?
On Ethereum and Base, “gas” is a small fee you pay to send something or use the network, similar to a postage stamp or a credit‑card processing fee. It’s paid in the network’s own coin (ETH), and without it, your transaction won’t go through. The fee is usually very small on Base (often just a few cents or less), and a bit higher on Ethereum, but the idea is the same: you pay a tiny amount so the system will securely move or update your balance.
You don’t need to understand “gas” to safely use the Base network for LayerDrone rewards, but you will need to have a small amount in your wallet to ensure transfers go through. LayerDrone will be giving approximately $2 worth of ETH into the wallets of all active pilots during this transition. Since gas fees on Base are typically under $0.02 per transaction, this is enough to fund plenty of transfers.
If you’d like to learn more, here are some explainers from crypto.com and MetaMask.
Your Wallet
Where is my wallet in my Spexi account?
Your wallet where USDC rewards will go is already set up. Every Spexi account already has a wallet connected — it was created automatically when you signed up, or you connected your MetaMask wallet.
You can find your wallet address in your account settings — it starts with "0x…".
What is a digital asset wallet?
A digital asset wallet is a personal account for holding and sending digital assets like USDC. Instead of a username and password, it uses a public address (like an email address, used to receive funds) and a private key (like a password, used to prove ownership). Never share your private key with anyone.
Is the wallet in my Spexi account custodial? Can Spexi or LayerDrone move my USDC without my consent?
No, Spexi or LayerDrone cannot use your wallet or reveal your private keys without your involvement and approval. Once rewards are deposited in your wallet, you are the only one that can access or move them.
Can I export my private key from the wallet in my Spexi account?
No, this feature is not supported at this time.
What should I watch out for? What should I NOT do?
Never give anyone your private keys or wallet seed phrase
Don’t give anyone the credentials to log on to your exchange account.
Don’t send your USDC on any network that isn’t Base.
Don’t send your USDC to an exchange account that doesn’t have native base integration.
Cashing Out
Do I need anything else to transfer USDC?
Yes — to send USDC from your wallet in the Spexi app, you'll need a small amount of ETH in your wallet to cover transaction fees (called gas fees). These are typically just a few cents, but your transfer won't go through without it. LayerDrone will be giving existing pilots about $2 worth of ETH during this transition to cover transfers. All you have to do is keep this ETH in your wallet.
How do I transfer USDC to my bank account?
Here's a step-by-step guide for pilots to convert USDC to cash and transfer it to their bank.
A centralized exchange (CEX) is a platform where you can create an account to buy, sell, and trade digital assets. It works similarly to a bank or brokerage — you can deposit assets in, convert between currencies, and withdraw cash to your bank. Coinbase and Kraken are widely used in the US and Canada, and both support the Base network.
Are there other options for converting my USDC into cash?
Yes, depending on where you live, there are other options beyond Coinbase, though Coinbase is likely to be the easiest option for pilots in the US and Canada. It’s possible to use exchanges that do not have Native Base Integration, but would require bridging (converting) USDC to Ethereum prior to sending it, which incurs additional fees and steps.
USDC is essentially digital cash — it's always worth $1 USD. There are a few reasons you might want to keep it rather than withdrawing right away:
It can earn yield. Some platforms offer USDC rewards to eligible account holders. Rates and eligibility vary, so check your account settings to see if you qualify.
You can send it to anyone, instantly. You can transfer USDC to any wallet address (or on Coinbase, to any other Coinbase user) quickly and with little to no fees, 24/7 — no bank hours, wire fees, or transfer delays.
You can use it to buy other digital assets. If you're interested in investing in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other assets, USDC is a convenient way to hold your funds and move quickly when you're ready.
Where can I get support on my wallet or payment questions?
First, check the Discord to see if your question has been answered, but do not share any personal information there! If your question hasn’t been answered, visit the Spexi Support Portal to open a ticket with our support team. Additional guidance on wallets, exchanges, and managing digital assets will be published here before March 17.
