The cryptocurrency market has enjoyed a bullish last few months.
Bitcoin, the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, has captured headlines with its sustained price rises.
But cryptocurrencies are more than just investments for businesses, they’re also opening doors for innovative new revenue streams.
This article explores the various ways businesses are profiting from the crypto revolution beyond just trading, from the growing world of decentralized finance (DeFi) to crypto fundraising.
Ready? Let’s find out some more about money-making crypto methods.
Crypto fundraising
ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings) are fundraising mechanisms that allow businesses to raise capital directly from their customer base, which they sometimes term ‘communities’.
They build these communities from social media campaigns in which they offer perks for people who subscribe to their product or service, otherwise known as ‘lead magnets’. Then, via email sequences, they upsell further services to their army of followers, with ICOs been one of the latest in the digital world.
Successful ICOs create a win-win situation. Customer gain access to potentially groundbreaking ventures, while startups acquire the resources needed to scale their operations.
The crypto community becomes invested in brand’s success: the more they grow, the more their followers benefit as brand ambassadors and become early adopters of the product or service in question.
Links to cryptocurrency exchanges
Cryptocurrency exchanges act as marketplaces where individuals and businesses can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies.
These platforms make money by charging transaction fees for each trade executed. As the crypto market continues to grow, so too does the volume of transactions, leading to substantial revenue for popular exchanges like Coinbase and Binance.
Many businesses use affiliate links to these exchanges or accept payments from them. A cryptocurrency casino, for example, will accept deposits from players in Bitcoin or altcoins, so they don’t need to touch their fiat balance.
The rise of crypto debit cards is another recent development that helps bridge the gap between crypto and traditional finance. With them, users can spend their digital funds at a crypto-friendly merchant.
Both accepting crypto payments and building affiliate links allow companies to tap into the growing market of crypto users and expand their customer base.
Crypto rewards
Some companies don’t just accept crypto payments but transform themselves into a crypto haven full of digital rewards for their loyal customers.
These tend to include discounts or exclusive product lines specifically for crypto users: tapping into a rapidly growing digital demographic. Catering to this audience helps brands position themselves as innovative and forward-thinking.
Major examples include Starbucks, which in 2022 launched its NFT rewards program Odyssey for frequent customers. This allowed its best supporters to access exclusive tokens that they could exchange or sell to other customers, or simply keep to themselves as a treasured memento.
Like ICOs, this type of program encourages repeat business and fosters a sense of community among crypto-using customers – a win-win for all concerned!
Create their own digital currency
NFTs are one thing, but some businesses are taking it a step further and launching their own cryptocurrencies.
PayPal is a prominent recent example, taking a step into the digital currency market with its own stablecoin launched in 2023. Unlike typical cryptos, stablecoins are pegged by a fiat currency, such as the US dollar, which help them maintain a relatively consistent price.
The big draw for PayPal is that the more people use their stablecoin, the more transactions they attract to their ecosystem, creating more fees.
If a success, this type of offering will become attractive for smaller brands to aim for over the next few years.
The future of crypto and business
The future of cryptocurrency and its impact on businesses is yet to be fully measured. As the technology matures, we will see even more innovative ways for businesses to use crypto for their advantage.
Here are some potential future trends to look out for.
Decentralized finance (DeFi)
DeFi aims to build a financial system without intermediaries like banks. This could change traditional financial services and create new opportunities for businesses in the crypto space.
Metaverse integration
The metaverse is a virtual reality space where users can interact and conduct transactions. This might lead to further integration of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment within these virtual worlds.
Despite the controversy around it, cryptocurrency continues to be a growing part of the business world. As more and more brands adopt it, expect to see its impact on your day-to-day life grow with each passing year as we move fully into the digital age.
Image source: Shutterstock
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