bitcoin is being used in so many places throughout the world but it can be so much more. It's obvious that there are so many freelancers in every country. Firms, companies, startups etc.. have a limitation that they can hire freelancers only from their country since they can pay them only in their native currency to avoid hassle of exchange. But if firms, companies, startups etc.. start using bitcoin as a payment method to hire freelancers then there will be so many opportunities for the freelancers since they can get work from anywhere in the world. I don't know why has this not become a huge thing until now. This could really change the life of freelancers and give a better end result/product to the company they are working for.
As compared to what's already there..Paypal etc
BTC is quite volatile and this means that in most cases the freelancer gets less than what was initially quoted and agreed on. Also in most countries, it is difficult to change BTC back to fiat if not illegal, remember countries like India are said to be crafting laws that will make trading in crypto punishable by death. Its also sad that such countries where the use of crypto is not encouraged by the establishment are homes to the biggest numbers of freelancers.
For now I do not think BTC is the answer to the Gig Economy until maybe a more stable crytocurrency is introduced.