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Washington, D.C. Coffee Chain Introduces Crypto Payments
A local coffee chain in Washington, D.C. has partnered with Coinbase to introduce crypto payments to its customers. Compass Coffee, a veteran-owned brand with sixteen stores in the D.C. area, will now offer patrons the option to pay for their morning brew using USDC, a stablecoin that functions as a digital dollar.
Discounts and Incentives for Crypto Payments
- Customers paying with USDC at Compass Coffee’s Half Street location will enjoy a substantial discount of 90% off their orders.
- They will also receive a non-fungible token (NFT) that can be redeemed for a complimentary tin of coffee adorned with the logos of Coinbase and Compass.
Spot ETFs Drive Crypto Adoption
One of the major hurdles to widespread adoption of digital assets as a form of payment has been their practicality in everyday transactions. While larger companies like Starbucks, Subway, and AMC Theaters have recently started accepting Bitcoin and Ethereum payments, many smaller businesses, particularly local stores, have been hesitant to embrace cryptocurrency.
Role of Stablecoins in Promoting Adoption
The launch of eleven Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Wall Street in January has sparked conversations about the long-term value and viability of cryptocurrencies. Stablecoins, such as USDC, have gained prominence as they are typically pegged to a fixed asset like the U.S. dollar, reducing the price volatility associated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Coffee Cups Promote Cost Saving Using Blockchain
To convey the message of cost-saving advantages to customers, Coinbase and Compass are using coffee cups at the Half Street store to display eye-catching messages. The cups inform customers that an estimated $126 billion in credit card transaction fees were paid by U.S. merchants in 2022, which is 2.5 times the entire U.S. coffee shop market.
Impact on Compass Coffee’s Business
Compass Coffee has revealed that it currently loses approximately 3.75% of its revenue to credit card companies through additional fees. As a small, veteran-owned business that weathered the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Compass recognizes the value of every dollar and believes that redirecting the funds currently paid to credit card companies towards staff, rent, and suppliers could be transformative for their business and the local economy.
Although the USDC payment option will initially be available only at the Half Street store, Compass plans to expand this feature to its other eleven locations in the future. Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, Faryar Shirzad, expressed optimism about the partnership with Compass as a pilot to demonstrate how stablecoins can simplify finance and save small businesses thousands of dollars on unnecessary credit card fees.
Ian is a cryptocurrency enthusiast blending humor with professionalism. With an engineering background and a storyteller's heart, he simplifies the blockchain world with sharp analysis and a touch of wit. At Cryptowire, he brings his unique perspective to make digital financial innovation accessible to all.
