Blockchain and digital currencies are reshaping payments, entertainment, real estate, and beyond, driving a new era of global innovation
Cryptocurrencies went from being a niche, experimental digital money to an integral part of mainstream financial systems. In 2009, when the first cryptos emerged, the main idea was to offer a currency that operates independently on a free, global market. Today, digital coins are not just an alternative payment option, but a cornerstone of innovations in the financial industry. Private corporations as well as governments are widely adopting cryptocurrencies, thus recognising that digital assets create new investment opportunities while continuing to challenge traditional banking models.
More than a decade later, we face a crypto revolution. Many industries, from e-commerce to gaming, real estate, healthcare, marketing, manufacturing, car industries, and many more are embracing cryptocurrencies as a formal way of payment, hence further driving the shift towards digital assets. Why is this happening and what does it mean for the future of private businesses?
Early adopters of Bitcoin were mainly tech enthusiasts looking to try out the latest invention and understand the notion of decentralised currency. Once blockchain technology became perfected and sophisticated enough, other cryptocurrencies emerged on the market. Today, thousands of digital coins are more than just new currency, but rather represent a new way of exchanging money without governments’ or banks’ oversight.
Several factors played a role in the rapid acceptance of cryptocurrencies. The main driving force came from the rise of online payments, e-wallets, and a concerning doubt in banking systems and their policies. Digital assets also proved to be a great hedge against inflation, which resulted in greater adoption in countries with unstable economies. Others began trading cryptos as part of their investment portfolio, seeing it as a chance to take part in developing technologies like DeFi and NFTs.
Online entertainment industries were among the first to include cryptocurrencies in their financial system, so today you can use your Solana in Bitcasino, which offers faster transactions and lower fees for players. Major companies like MasterCard and Visa quickly realised that the use of digital coins is going to surge, and integrated crypto payments into their offers. Even the investment companies like Fidelity jumped on the crypto wagon by launching investments based on digital assets, thus transforming the financial industry on a global scale.
The financial sector has been the biggest consumer and guardian of cryptocurrencies. Banks and investment firms were taken by storm with cryptocurrencies and the interest in investing in the decentralised coins that can be used not only as a source of potential profits, but as a barrier against the shaky global economy. One of the biggest changes happened when DeFi burst out into the scene, allowing people to buy, sell, borrow, lend and trade currencies without the middleman or any other payment service provider. Many platforms integrated smart contracts which replaced bankers and the slow-moving financial system.
Banks, although a day late and a dollar short, started offering safe storage of cryptocurrencies to their customers. Central banks are still exploring CBDC, central bank digital currencies, trying to blend the stability of traditional currencies and the appeal of digital assets.
The borderless nature of cryptocurrencies was another major factor in the popularity and eventual acceptance of decentralised digital money. Sending money internationally through traditional banking systems can take days and involve high fees, but cryptos have overcome this by offering instant transfers via blockchain networks, charging pennies on the dollar. Customers immediately dropped their credit cards and embraced crypto wallets to store their coins, which gave them the freedom to use them around the globe without long waiting times and absurd fees.
E-commerce was one of the first sectors to accept cryptocurrencies as a way of payment, since it gave them access to global markets. Digital coins don’t have a currency exchange rate, nor do they fall under any banking and government restrictions, giving merchants an opportunity to reach customers in regions with limited financial support. Besides people who have no other reliable options to trade globally but to use cryptocurrencies, others who do have options still went for digital assets in an attempt to set themselves free from the gripping hold of traditional banking systems.
The retail industry also started accepting cryptocurrencies as a form of payment, both online and in physical stores. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Litecoin, stablecoin USDT, and even some altcoins are now accepted by every major retailer, thereby catering to younger customers who already prefer digital coins to credit cards.
No industry adopted cryptos so eagerly as gaming and entertainment businesses. The benefits of this move are numerous. Thanks to blockchain, players can now double-check the randomness of the outcomes after the game is finished, they can buy, sell, and trade their in-game assets like weapons, skins and such, as NFTs on a global market. Casino players can add funds to their accounts instantly with cryptocurrencies, without interrupting their game, for a small fee.
From this, the concept of Play To Earn was born, allowing players to turn their gaming tokens into real-world value tokens. Gaming platforms gained a massive influx of players in 2020, with this new idea of actually profiting from playing games.
Streaming services and music platforms have seen a surge in adopting blockchain. Today, artists can sell their music directly to consumers as Non-Fungible Tokens, without going through official labels, giving them absolute control over their content and profits.
Celebrities, sports clubs and entertainment companies are now offering fan tokens that come with certain perks, like discounts on the merch, early previews, a peek behind the scenes, and sometimes even exclusive voting rights.
The real estate sector was always slow and hesitant to change, but in recent years, a quiet revolution has been happening by assimilating cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. To purchase a home or land, customers don’t need to have the full amount required. Instead, they can buy a fraction of real estate with digital tokens that give them ownership over that piece of property. Investors used this perk to further diversify by taking ownership of only part of the commercial buildings, lands, and other development areas.
Blockchain also simplifies property transactions by securely recording ownership records and implementing smart contracts that reduce the paperwork and the cost of buying and selling properties.
However, this is mostly limited to luxury markets where international customers are buying and selling using cryptocurrencies in order to avoid hefty bank fees and a lengthy process.
Other industries are picking up on the new trend of using cryptos for storing sensitive data, as well as an alternative form of payment. Healthcare is adopting blockchain as its primary storage of medical records, where they can be securely shared between doctors, hospitals, patients and insurance companies.
Transportation and logistics companies are using blockchain to track their shipments in real time, thereby reducing fraud and staying on top of ethical issues that plague many industries, like food and fashion.
It’s clear that the world is moving toward decentralised systems to create value and better connect with suppliers and customers. In the future, we can expect more governments to adopt CBDC in order to reduce the gap between traditional banking systems and decentralised crypto.
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