It sounds like you initially found the terms acceptable but now less so. From a contracting perspective, I'd decide what terms would make you happy then present

It sounds like you initially found the terms acceptable but now less so. From a contracting perspective, I'd decide what terms would make you happy then present them to the founders. The founders might not realize that you feel this way (or they might just poorly express themselves virtually). You might let them know you want to be a team member, then show some examples why you don't feel that way now. This might help explain it. Funding could give the founders more flexibility to pay you. I'd also keep in mind from their perspective it will be more difficult to make you an employee than someone in the US. Maybe you could help by presenting how you believe the process would work? FWIW things could be worse. In the first startup I co-founded, I received both a lower hourly rate and less equity than you (though without my knowledge).