Cryptocurrencies are taking the world by storm, with Bitcoin being the most popular and used one. Every once in a while, a new cryptocurrency is invented and introduced to the world. A survey performed in 2019 showed that 19% of the world population had bought cryptocurrency at that time.
Since cryptocurrencies are so popular, one might think that it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a mainstream of shopping payment. However, is that really possible? Well, keep reading if you want to find out.
What are Cryptocurrencies?
Before digging deeper into the topic, we must answer the question – what are cryptocurrencies? To put it simply, cryptocurrencies are digital money. Just like with fiat money you have dollars, euros, pounds and so on, in cryptocurrencies, you have bitcoins, lite coins, ripples, and so forth.
Cryptocurrencies, just like other securities, can be traded. However, it requires knowledge and expertise, as you need to know how to read the charts and analyze the reports. People who are new to trading usually lack the expertise, which results in them being more prone to losing their money because of poor trading strategies or scams.
Thankfully for them, there is something like ‘social trading,’ which allows them to observe the trading strategies that more experienced traders use and follow them by using either Copy or Mirror trading. Choosing the best social trading platform might be hard, but that’s what online reviews are here for.
Cryptocurrencies as a mainstream payment method
Since cryptocurrencies are becoming more and more popular with each passing day, many people speculate that it’s only a matter of time before they become a mainstream of shopping payment.
The truth is that it can happen faster than they or you might think as there are already so many websites on which you can already pay with cryptocurrency! Those include:
- Microsoft – since 2014, it is possible to pay for your purchases in the Xbox and Microsoft Stores by using Bitcoin
- Wikipedia– you can give a donation in Bitcoins, and the payment is made through BitPay
- KFC– even though it was for a limited time, KFC Canada accepted bitcoins in exchange for a ‘Bitcoin Bucket’ which was delivered straight to the person’s house
- NewEgg– an online retailer, selling products like computer hardware and electronics, was one of the first ones to accept Bitcoin payment
- Playboy – Playboy TV added a new method of payment thanks to which you can access they exclusive adult content by using cryptocurrencies
[Read here: complete list of merchants accepting cryptocurrency as a payment method.]
However, these are just a few examples, and the list is still growing. Every once in a while, a new website is adding a cryptocurrency payment method to its offer.
What’s more, at the beginning of 2020, a Panama-based cryptocurrency merchant getaway start-up called Cryptobuyer, has announced its partnership with Burger King Venezuela. Because of this, by the end of the year, it will be possible to pay by cryptocurrency in several locations.
[Read here: Looking for cryptocurrency payment gateway to accept crypto payments online/offline]
At the moment, you are able to pay with Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Binance Coin, Dash, and Tether is one of the branches of the American company located in the Sambil area of Caracas.
Advantages and disadvantages of paying with cryptocurrencies
Since cryptocurrencies are still relatively new, people have their doubts about whether adding them as a payment method is a good idea. The pros include:
- Low transaction fees– since the transactions don’t involve a third party, the transaction fees are low. What’s more, there are websites which allow you to transfer funds without paying any commission
- Irreversible transactions– once the payment is done, there is no way of undoing it, which means that you have instant access to the goods you purchased
- Universal – when it comes to fiat money, if you have to another, you have to either exchange cash or pay by card, which can generate additional costs. Cryptocurrency can be used worldwide, and there is no need for exchange
However, just like with everything, if you have pros, you also have to have cons. The main disadvantage is the volatility of cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum. As an example, people often use the story of Laslo Hanyecz, a computer programmer from Florida, who, in 2010, bought two pizzas for 10,000 BTC. If he hadn’t spent the money, he probably would have been a billionaire now.
Unfortunately, volatility is something that every currency faces, just not to this extent, as the price of a cryptocurrency can drop or rise by 15 to 30 percent in only one session.
Final Thoughts
So, will cryptocurrencies be a mainstream of shopping payment in the future? It’s very probable – after all, some companies already have it in their offer. However, as long as the volatility is high, many businesses will be skeptical about it.
The only thing we can do is wait and see what the future holds.
