Latest news with #BitPay
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Can A Meme Coin Become A Real Payment Solution?
Article – Hugh Grant Meme currencies are becoming increasingly popular, but they are still not fully viable ways to pay, and price volatility is the most important thing. Meme coins change value more often than Bitcoin or Ethereum. There have been many trends in the world of cryptocurrencies, but meme coins have had a lasting cultural impact that few others have. These digital assets, led by Dogecoin, were never meant to be taken seriously. They came from internet pranks and online subcultures. They didn't have the official white papers, advanced technologies, and big promises that many of their peers did. Instead, they became popular because they were entertaining, easy to find, and the power of viral networks. But as time went on, some of these so-called joke tokens started to get a lot of attention from corporations, payment networks, and even retail investors. This change was made possible by the rapid growth in the Dogecoin price, which was caused by celebrity endorsements and talk on the internet. Some people thought the price jump was crazy speculation, while others said it was people changing their minds about other digital currencies. People liked using Dogecoin for peer-to-peer payments because it was easy to use, had cheap costs, and processed payments quickly. It wasn't simply a meme anymore; it could actually be used as a way to trade things. As retailers, influencers, and tech supporters started to accept Dogecoin as payment, the question changed from 'Why would anyone use this?' to 'How far can this go?' Merchants and Platforms Taking it Up Businesses, both online and offline, need to accept a cryptocurrency for it to work as a legitimate payment method. In the last few years, more and more stores have started taking Dogecoin and other meme coins as payment. This form of payment encompasses everything from high-end items and electronic gadgets to coffee cafes and streaming services. Even well-known corporations like Tesla briefly accepted Dogecoin for goods, which was a small step toward making it more widely acknowledged. Third-party payment systems have also connected meme currencies to real-world use. Businesses can accept cryptocurrencies, including Dogecoin, and turn them into real money immediately with services like BitPay and Coinbase Commerce. This lowers the danger of price swings that usually keep organizations from dealing directly with digital assets. As more payment processors add meme coins to their systems, it gets easier for users to spend and for retailers to accept them. This makes the case for their usefulness in the real world much stronger. The Problems with Stability and Scalability Meme currencies are becoming increasingly popular, but they are still not fully viable ways to pay, and price volatility is the most important thing. Meme coins change value more often than Bitcoin or Ethereum. Because of this unpredictability, businesses have difficulty setting prices, and customers have difficulty using them without losing value. Another worry is scalability. Dogecoin has shorter block times and lower costs than Bitcoin, but it still has problems with transaction volume and network throughput. Meme currencies need to build scalable infrastructure if they want to be used as payment solutions globally. This includes off-chain options like payment channels or adding Layer-2 technologies to make the system bigger and less crowded during times of heavy demand. What Community and Culture Do Strong communities distinguish meme currencies. These tokens thrive when people get enthused and start grassroots campaigns on Reddit and TikTok. Since they fit in with the culture, they effectively recruit and spread the word. Dogecoin supporters have become activists, tipping creators, raising money for charity, and promoting social causes. As more meme currencies become decentralized, these groups can help with governance and growth. Forums and DAOs let users vote on network settings, financial priorities, and technology updates. Some meme currencies have formal governance structures, allowing them to adapt to user needs and market conditions, ensuring the viability of their long-term payment system. Beyond Dogecoin Dogecoin is the most renowned meme coin, but it has inspired many others to do more than mimic it. To combine meme culture with genuine financial systems, Shiba Inu, Floki, and other currencies have introduced staking, smart contracts, and NFT marketplaces. These efforts are striving to be more than a joke by finding new uses. These initiatives will succeed if they can create and maintain meaningful, engaging, and easy-to-use use cases. Developers are also being more strategic with token placement. They are using decentralized finance (DeFi) networks, mobile payment apps, and fintech partnerships to integrate meme currencies into financial systems. This variety of uses, from tipping and small payments to delivering money and commercial services, could make meme currencies more trustworthy digital payment solutions. The Regulatory Horizon As meme currencies become conventional payment options, regulators will pay greater attention to them. Governments worldwide are trying to classify and control cryptocurrencies, especially volatile and investor-friendly ones. Meme currencies must carefully adhere to these regulations to gain acceptance as real payments. This could mean obeying KYC and AML standards and having clearer tax disclosure. Are They Useful? Meme coins are no longer just hilarious photos shared online. Their low transaction costs, community-driven momentum, and additional payment options are making them more viable currencies. Meme currencies are becoming more effective in online purchasing despite their price volatility, growth potential, and absence of rules.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Can A Meme Coin Become A Real Payment Solution?
There have been many trends in the world of cryptocurrencies, but meme coins have had a lasting cultural impact that few others have. These digital assets, led by Dogecoin, were never meant to be taken seriously. They came from internet pranks and online subcultures. They didn't have the official white papers, advanced technologies, and big promises that many of their peers did. Instead, they became popular because they were entertaining, easy to find, and the power of viral networks. But as time went on, some of these so-called joke tokens started to get a lot of attention from corporations, payment networks, and even retail investors. This change was made possible by the rapid growth in the Dogecoin price, which was caused by celebrity endorsements and talk on the internet. Some people thought the price jump was crazy speculation, while others said it was people changing their minds about other digital currencies. People liked using Dogecoin for peer-to-peer payments because it was easy to use, had cheap costs, and processed payments quickly. It wasn't simply a meme anymore; it could actually be used as a way to trade things. As retailers, influencers, and tech supporters started to accept Dogecoin as payment, the question changed from "Why would anyone use this?" to "How far can this go?" Merchants and Platforms Taking it Up Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Businesses, both online and offline, need to accept a cryptocurrency for it to work as a legitimate payment method. In the last few years, more and more stores have started taking Dogecoin and other meme coins as payment. This form of payment encompasses everything from high-end items and electronic gadgets to coffee cafes and streaming services. Even well-known corporations like Tesla briefly accepted Dogecoin for goods, which was a small step toward making it more widely acknowledged. Third-party payment systems have also connected meme currencies to real-world use. Businesses can accept cryptocurrencies, including Dogecoin, and turn them into real money immediately with services like BitPay and Coinbase Commerce. This lowers the danger of price swings that usually keep organizations from dealing directly with digital assets. As more payment processors add meme coins to their systems, it gets easier for users to spend and for retailers to accept them. This makes the case for their usefulness in the real world much stronger. The Problems with Stability and Scalability Meme currencies are becoming increasingly popular, but they are still not fully viable ways to pay, and price volatility is the most important thing. Meme coins change value more often than Bitcoin or Ethereum. Because of this unpredictability, businesses have difficulty setting prices, and customers have difficulty using them without losing value. Another worry is scalability. Dogecoin has shorter block times and lower costs than Bitcoin, but it still has problems with transaction volume and network throughput. Meme currencies need to build scalable infrastructure if they want to be used as payment solutions globally. This includes off-chain options like payment channels or adding Layer-2 technologies to make the system bigger and less crowded during times of heavy demand. What Community and Culture Do Strong communities distinguish meme currencies. These tokens thrive when people get enthused and start grassroots campaigns on Reddit and TikTok. Since they fit in with the culture, they effectively recruit and spread the word. Dogecoin supporters have become activists, tipping creators, raising money for charity, and promoting social causes. As more meme currencies become decentralized, these groups can help with governance and growth. Forums and DAOs let users vote on network settings, financial priorities, and technology updates. Some meme currencies have formal governance structures, allowing them to adapt to user needs and market conditions, ensuring the viability of their long-term payment system. Beyond Dogecoin Dogecoin is the most renowned meme coin, but it has inspired many others to do more than mimic it. To combine meme culture with genuine financial systems, Shiba Inu, Floki, and other currencies have introduced staking, smart contracts, and NFT marketplaces. These efforts are striving to be more than a joke by finding new uses. These initiatives will succeed if they can create and maintain meaningful, engaging, and easy-to-use use cases. Developers are also being more strategic with token placement. They are using decentralized finance (DeFi) networks, mobile payment apps, and fintech partnerships to integrate meme currencies into financial systems. This variety of uses, from tipping and small payments to delivering money and commercial services, could make meme currencies more trustworthy digital payment solutions. The Regulatory Horizon As meme currencies become conventional payment options, regulators will pay greater attention to them. Governments worldwide are trying to classify and control cryptocurrencies, especially volatile and investor-friendly ones. Meme currencies must carefully adhere to these regulations to gain acceptance as real payments. This could mean obeying KYC and AML standards and having clearer tax disclosure. Are They Useful? Meme coins are no longer just hilarious photos shared online. Their low transaction costs, community-driven momentum, and additional payment options are making them more viable currencies. Meme currencies are becoming more effective in online purchasing despite their price volatility, growth potential, and absence of rules.
Finextra
14-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
BitPay launches HODL Pay, bridging FeFi and everyday crypto spending
BitPay, the world's leading cryptocurrency payment processor, today announced the launch of HODL Pay, a groundbreaking new payment option that empowers consumers and merchants. 0 HODL Pay connects the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem with everyday commerce, enabling users to borrow stablecoins from DeFi against their crypto holdings and seamlessly pay any BitPay invoice at checkout. BitPay continues to focus on expanding Layer 2 network enhancements to enable faster, cheaper, and more expansive payment options for the Web3 community. HODL Pay is the latest in the company's push to offer more Web3 payment accessibility as digital currency adoption grows. Consumers can stay invested while instantly accessing liquidity in stablecoins to meet immediate spending needs. Borrowed funds can be used for purchases like travel, retail shopping, luxury goods, vehicles, and even credit card bill payments without selling their crypto holdings. The seamless integration into BitPay's checkout experience allows users to spend confidently. 'Crypto isn't just about speculative investing. It's about financial ownership, freedom, and choice,' said Bill Zielke, Chief Marketing Officer at BitPay. 'With HODL Pay, BitPay gives users an innovative way to spend confidently today without giving up their future growth. We are proud to bring the benefits of DeFi into everyday payments.' Getting started with HODL Pay is simple. Users must have a supply position on Aave, collateral for borrowing. Those with an existing supply position can begin spending immediately, while new users can easily create a supply position by supplying eligible crypto assets through the Aave platform. Once the supply position is ready: Users can generate a BitPay invoice by shopping with a BitPay merchant, signing up for Bill Pay, or purchasing a crypto-powered gift card. Connect a crypto wallet using WalletConnect. Borrow stablecoins against the supplied collateral and complete payment through the BitPay checkout flow. Loan management and repayment are handled through the Aave dashboard, giving users full control over their borrow positions and repayment schedules. Customers can visit BitPay's Merchant Directory for a list of top merchants accepting crypto payments. For merchants, HODL Pay unlocks new opportunities to reach long-term crypto holders who typically prefer holding over spending. By allowing these customers to borrow and pay without selling their assets, merchants can drive higher-value transactions that might not otherwise occur. HODL Pay requires no additional setup or integration for merchants and maintains the same next-day settlement that merchants expect from BitPay, in either fiat currency, cryptocurrency, or a mix of both. 'Crypto customers have always been an important part of our growth story with BitPay,' said Nick Dossa, Dealer Principal of Vegas Auto Gallery. 'We are excited to see new options like HODL Pay that give crypto holders more flexibility in paying for luxury vehicles. It is a forward-looking solution that will help deepen our connection to the crypto community.' HODL Pay is available today for all BitPay merchants and is supported across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, and Optimism networks.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pierre Rochard, the Bitcoin Maximalist OG, on Mining, Markets and Modern Finance
Pierre Rochard, who calls himself a 'bitcoin maximalist OG,' first discovered Bitcoin in 2012 while studying at UT Austin. With interests in Austrian economics and open-source software, he was 'captivated' by bitcoin as the intersection of both. He became an early thought leader, co-founding the Satoshi Nakamoto Institute to house foundational writings and cypherpunk philosophy. Across roles at BitPay, Kraken, and most recently Riot Platforms (RIOT), his work has spanned bitcoin infrastructure and advocacy. At Riot, he led responses to environmental criticisms, including a viral parody video that 'put the critics on the defensive' and reframed the debate around mining and value creation. Pierre Rochard is a speaker at Consensus 2025, in Toronto, May 14-16. Get your pass here. 'Critics think mining is wasteful because they don't believe bitcoin has value,' Rochard said. 'But it's about monetary sovereignty — the ability to control your own money.' Now, with The Bitcoin Bond Company, he is taking on the next frontier: unlocking bitcoin for fixed-income investors. Unlike Michael Saylor's long-only strategy, Rochard wants to build 'bankruptcy-remote, bitcoin-only structures' with clear life-cycles and risk-tranching. The idea is to make Bitcoin more palatable to traditional credit allocators. His goal? Acquire $1 trillion in bitcoin over the next 21 years — market conditions permitting. On the price cycle, Rochard believes the four-year halving model is losing relevance for price prediction purposes. 'Bitcoin's CAGR is now tied to interest rates,' he said, noting its shift toward becoming a global macro asset. 'Higher Fed rates pull capital out of Bitcoin — that's what slows adoption.' While education remains a major hurdle, he's optimistic. 'Ten years ago, this idea was laughed off. Today, Bitcoin-backed credit products are inevitable.' At Consensus 2025, Pierre is focused on accelerating that education, especially among institutions looking to diversify beyond real estate and equities. Rochard was also clear-eyed about the risks and hurdles in bitcoin adoption. 'The biggest challenge is education,' he emphasized. 'Most investors have never seen a fixed-income product backed purely by bitcoin. They're used to real estate or corporate debt — this is a new asset class for them.' When asked about concerns like low transaction fees or empty blocks in 2025, Rochard pushed back. 'People worry about low fees, but that assumes a static system. If there's ever an attack or censorship, fees skyrocket — and miners spin up. It's anti-fragile by design.' Ultimately, Rochard's pitch is simple: 'Bitcoin is no longer a fringe experiment. It's a core monetary technology — and it's time the credit markets caught up.' Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.
