Cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, continues to increase in popularity, but there’s still a lot we’re learning about it and its potential to transform the way businesses will work in the future, only using Bitcoin or Ethereum for cash transactions. After Bitcoin’s value dropped by 30% recently, some people are speculating that this will mean the end of cryptocurrency, but futurist Jason Hope sees things differently.
He believes that the technology behind cryptocurrency, called Blockchain, is continuing to evolve and emphasizes the need to further explore its potential to revolutionize the global economy. Jason Hope’s research has led him to believe that digital currencies like cryptocurrency could improve online shopping by offering lower transaction fees compared to credit cards.
With fees as low as 1% or even fee-free transactions, businesses and customers may choose to use cryptocurrencies as opposed to other traditional payment methods. This could also improve security by reducing fraud and protecting consumers’ sensitive personal information. Jason Hope adds that entrepreneurs can also benefit from the significant investment opportunities that cryptocurrencies provide.
For example, Erik Finnman became one of the first “Bitcoin billionaires” by investing in digital currency at a young age. Using cryptocurrency allows entrepreneurs to invest in high-growth technologies and products with immense potential, while using only traditional investment methods would be limiting. Cryptocurrency is also making it easier, quicker, and cheaper for startups to raise capital through ICOs and international investors.
As an example, Hope cites the case of Overstock.com, which adopted Bitcoin currency payments and saw sales spike within a matter of hours. Eliminating the need for traditional banking systems is a potential game-changer for businesses, and more and more companies, including Square and Mastercard, are adopting the technology. Jason Hope predicts that cryptocurrencies will continue to stabilize in the future, and will soon be seamlessly integrated into business operations, offering new levels of innovation and efficiency.