Bitcoin, iBeacons, Digital Gift Cards...Experts Talk Change!

On Payments Podcast Interview Series – Recap and Round-Up

By Marc Dresner, Senior Editor, IIR

I don’t need to tell you that the world of payments is changing dramatically.

But with APEX—the All Payments Expo—kicking off next week in Las Vegas, it seems prudent to revisit what’s been kicking around in the heads of industry experts lately.

Over the past couple of months, On Payments—a special podcast interview series produced by APEX—has featured a variety of thought leaders at the forefront of the payments and stored value industries and retail.

To prime the pump for those stimulating conversations you’re sure to have at APEX next week, here’s a quick round up of the guests we've featured and the topics they covered.

I urge you to introduce yourselves to these fascinating folks in person and continue the conversation next week.

Safe travels and enjoy the show!

David Berger

EPISODE ONE

Bitcoin may be closer to a mainstream tipping point than you realize. David Berger, CEO of the Digital Currency Council, shares the latest on the growth of virtual tender and talks about his organization’s mission to equip lawyers, accountants and financial professionals for the emerging digital currency economy.

Check out the interview here

Chris Adamo

EPISODE TWO

Digital gift cards will overtake plastic in the next 1-2 years, says Chris Adamo, Manager of Partnerships & Gift Cards at 1-800-FLOWERS. In this episode, Adamo talks about the digital florist’s experience with e-cards thus far and why the impending consumer migration from plastic to digital is good news for retailers.

Check out the interview here

Ryan Craver

EPISODE THREE

Retailers are experimenting with iBeacons as both a marketing and a payments tool. Ryan Craver, former SVP of Corporate Strategy for Lord & Taylor/Hudson’s Bay, discusses how the retailer tested the technology and what he sees ahead.

Check out the interview here

Rik Willard

EPISODE FOUR

Cryptocurrencies are rapidly approaching an inflection point in emerging markets with dramatic implications for the rest of the world. Rik Willard, CEO of MintCombine, discusses how development of cryptocurrencies in emerging markets will disrupt the status quo and rewrite the rules, and what the future may look like.

Check out the interview here

Ryan Lazanis

EPISODE FIVE

Businesses are struggling with Bitcoin tax questions. Ryan Lazanis, CPA, CA and principal of Xen Accounting discusses the potential tax implications around using cryptocurrencies and offers tips for individuals and companies interested in expanding into digital currency payments.

Check out the interview here

Editor’s note: The folks interviewed in On Payments are but a few of the industry experts and thought leaders who will be a featured at APEX 2015—The All Payments Expo—taking place February 23-25 in Las Vegas.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN THEM!

Click here for an agenda or to here register for APEX. 

Or visit www.allpaymentsexpo.com.

SAVE $100 off registration TODAY with promo code: XU2848BLOG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / INTERVIEWER 
Marc Dresner is IIR USA’s sr. editor and special communication project lead. He is the former executive editor of Research Business Report, a confidential newsletter for the market and consumer research industry. He may be reached at mdresner@iirusa.com. Follow him @mdrezz.

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Digital Currency’s Role in Prepaid, Retail and Banking

How will digital currency change your business?

When Microsoft announced that it would accept Bitcoin as payment last month, the company noted that digital currencies are growing "beyond the early enthusiasts." Microsoft has placed its bets that the growth will continue - and at All Payments Expo, you'll forge the connections to determine your own company's strategy in the digital currency industry.

As digital currency's role in retail, payments and money movement evolves, it's paramount that you make sense of the role crypto will play in retail, prepaid and other industries.

Do you need to rethink your strategy?
 

Get up-to-the-minute analysis from the executives, legal minds and industry entrenched in this next phase, including:

• Keynote address from Overstock.com Chairman Patrick Byrne, one of Bitcoin's earliest champions
• A Bitcoin Bootcamp for novices, with perspectives from Strategic Counsel Corp., Ethereum, Gliph, Coinsetter and the Digital Currency Council
• The legal implications of Bitcoin
• How digital currency impacts accounting and taxation - a must-see for anyone considering accepting or working with digital currency
• Sessions on digital currency's applications in retail and products for the under-served

 Special Benefits for Attending

• Prepare you for the Digital Currency Council (DCC) Certification Exam.
• For those already DCC Certified, DCC Continuing Education Credits are available.
• Attendees will receive a 3-month trial Leader Membership in the Digital Currency Council - the leading professional association in the digital currency economy.

 

To see a detailed session breakdown, download the complete agenda. Also, register by Friday, January 23rd and SAVE $300! Use the code XU2848BLOG. 

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Bitcoin Poised to Go Mainstream?

Digital Currency Council Formed to Train and Certify Financial Professionals in Crypto Coinage
By Marc Dresner, Senior Editor, IIR

David Berger

Intense scrutiny from regulators and governments and Bitcoin’s precipitous plunge in value over the past year (approx. 55%) have prompted pundits to question the near-term viability of digital currencies, in general.

But according to David Berger, Founder and CEO of the Digital Currency Council (DCC), there’s nothing to be bearish about.

Berger notes ease of access and Bitcoin adoption rates continue to advance at a healthy clip, and he’s confident the currency is poised for mainstream uptake.

It's as easy getting an email account or hitting 'like' on Facebook...

“Bitcoin has crossed the chasm from a little-known technology utilized by a small number of very smart people,” said Berger. “It’s now as simple to use as signing up for an email account or, in some instances, hitting a ‘like’ button on Facebook.”

More than 100,000 merchants accept Bitcoin and it's growing by about 1,000 every week!

“Over the past year alone the number of wallets holding Bitcoin has increased seven times. More than 100,000 merchants accept Bitcoin and that's increasing by almost a thousand each week,” he added.

Just about every established industry or profession has a trade association or advocacy group to represent its interests. I think it speaks volumes that professionals specializing in cryptocurrencies today have an organization of their own.

The DCC—launched this past September—trains and certifies professionals from traditional “terrestrial” disciplines—lawyers, accountants, financial pros—that are looking to expand their practices into digital currency.

That demand for certification in the advisory sphere exists should give even the most enthusiastic virtual tender detractors reason to rethink their position.

In this podcast for On Payments—the All Payments Expo (APEX) interview series—Berger discusses the DCC and explains why betting against Bitcoin may be a lemon strategy.

Access the podcast and a transcript!

Editor’s note: David Berger will be a featured speaker at APEX 2015—The All Payments Expo—taking place February 23-25 in Las Vegas.

For more information or to register, please visit www.allpaymentsexpo.com.

Ps. SAVE $100 of registration with promo code: XU2848BLOG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/INTERVIEWER 
Marc Dresner is IIR USA’s sr. editor and special communication project lead. He is the former executive editor of Research Business Report, a confidential newsletter for the market and consumer research industry. He may be reached at mdresner@iirusa.com. Follow him @mdrezz.

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