December 11, 2024
5
 min to read

How (and Why) Top SaaS and Fintech Companies Embrace Crypto

It turns out that in the world of tech and finance, cryptocurrencies are no longer viewed as fringe novelties. What started as a niche experiment has grown into a global phenomenon, influencing both consumer behavior and corporate strategies. 

Not only cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) were turned into a traditional financial instrument after issuing crypto-based ETFs, but some of the world’s biggest software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms, along with fintech and digital payment giants are now integrating crypto into their core offerings, signaling a profound shift toward mainstream acceptance.

What Drives the Crypto Adoption by Businesses

The transformation of cryptocurrencies into a mainstream technical and financial tool can be attributed to several factors: technological advancements in blockchain infrastructure, growing consumer demand for digital assets, and regulatory frameworks slowly catching up to innovation. 

Notably, the prospects for more favorable crypto regulation in the United States have gained traction following Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election. During his campaign, Trump pledged to streamline the oversight of digital currencies, asserting that clearer guidelines would spur innovation and strengthen America’s position as a global fintech leader.

Shortly after taking office, his administration announced the creation of a new senior advisory position dedicated exclusively to AI and cryptocurrencies, an individual tasked with unifying fragmented policies, fostering international collaboration, and ensuring that emerging AI and blockchain technologies can thrive under a more consistent and business-friendly regulatory landscape. 

After Trump will officially step in as the 47th president in January 2025, this position is about to be taken by his nominee, a venture capitalist David Sacks, whom Trump called the future White House's “AI and Crypto Czar.”

Combined with the good market performance in the last months, this brought a wave of optimism about the future of cryptocurrencies. Companies that once dismissed cryptocurrencies as too volatile or too complex are now steadily incorporating them. For consumers, this means more convenient payment methods, broader access to global markets, and the promise of enhanced security and transparency. For businesses, it’s an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, cater to digital-first customers, and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.

Top Companies Embracing Cryptocurrencies

  1. Stripe. Valued at $70 billion, this global online payment processor reintroduced cryptocurrency payments in October 2024, enabling U.S. businesses to accept USD Coin (USDC) transactions across multiple blockchains. This move made digital currencies as straightforward for merchants as accepting traditional credit cards.
  2. Robinhood. The popular trading app has become one of the first major tech companies to adopt crypto. It integrated cryptocurrencies into its roster of tradable assets back in 2018. Today, Robinhood allows even novice investors to buy and sell major digital assets, bridging the gap between traditional stocks and emerging tokens.
  3. PayPal. Another early adopter among tech giants, PayPal introduced crypto to its services for U.S. merchants in late 2020. This year, the company expanded its cryptocurrency offerings, allowing business accounts to buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies.
  4. Square (Block). Following Jack Dorsey’s advocacy for Bitcoin, Square’s Cash App allows users to purchase and store BTC, turning the company’s platform into a gateway for crypto adoption. Optionally, Cash App users can gift Bitcoin.  
  5. Visa and Mastercard. Both global payment networks have been actively exploring crypto solutions. Partnering with crypto exchanges and wallet providers, they offer crypto-linked debit and credit cards, enabling users to spend digital currencies at millions of merchants worldwide with ease. In addition, Visa enabled the use of USDC for settling transactions over the Ethereum blockchain. Mastercard launched an enhanced card program for crypto wallets and exchanges to simplify the process of converting cryptocurrencies into traditional fiat currencies. In May 2024, the corporation launched the Crypto Credential, a solution designed to verify interactions among consumers and businesses using blockchain networks.
  6. Shopify. By partnering with crypto payment gateways like Cryptonix, Shopify merchants can accept digital currencies in their e-commerce stores. This not only caters to a growing segment of crypto-savvy consumers but also expands the geographic reach of these merchants, tapping into markets with less stable traditional currencies.
  7. Revolut. The UK-based neo bank’s app allows customers to buy, hold, and sell various cryptocurrencies. By integrating digital assets into everyday banking services, Revolut helps blur the line between conventional finance and the evolving crypto ecosystem.

Use Cases for Crypto in SaaS and Fintech Software

Integrating cryptocurrencies offers SaaS and fintech companies several advantages, particularly in streamlining transactions and expanding their customer base. Here are some of the key use cases:

  • Subscription payments. SaaS companies can offer clients the option to pay for subscriptions using cryptocurrencies, providing a flexible payment method that caters to a global audience and potentially reducing transaction fees.
  • Providing crypto payments for B2B customers. Fintech platforms can integrate cryptocurrency payment gateways, allowing business clients to conduct transactions in digital currencies.
  • The facilitation of crypto payroll services. Companies can implement software to pay employees and contractors in cryptocurrencies, appealing to tech-savvy clients and simplifying international payroll processes.
  • Crypto payment processing. Tools that help develop digital products can enable merchants to accept cryptocurrencies, positioning fintech firms as leaders in the evolving digital economy. This will ultimately attract businesses seeking to diversify payment options.
  • Crypto custody. Offering secure storage solutions for digital assets can help businesses manage their cryptocurrency holdings, ensuring compliance and security.

How to Simplify the Integration of Crypto Payments into Software

Cryptonix provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to facilitate the acceptance of cryptocurrency payments for businesses, including those in the fintech and SaaS sectors. Our offering includes:

  • Payment API for tailored integration of crypto payments into existing platforms, enabling businesses to customize the payment experience to their specific needs.
  • Payment button, a simple solution that enables websites to accept crypto payments by adding just a few lines of code, streamlining the integration process.
  • No-code plugin that facilitates crypto payments for online stores built on platforms like WordPress, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
  • QR-code cashier, which is designed for accepting crypto in physical stores by integraing digital assets into existing PoS terminals.
  • Crypto invoices, which are especially handy for B2B businesses: Cryptonix can generate and send a crypto payment request without the need for a website or complex payment systems.

These and other solutions combined into a single Cryptonix platform are crafted to be user-friendly, often requiring minimal to no coding expertise, making them accessible for businesses without dedicated development teams. In addition to the integration, Cryptonix ensures its clients have all the related tools for managing crypto proceedings, including business crypto wallet, while taking care of processing, settling and storing digital assets.

Is Crypto a Future of Financial Technology?

As more established companies adopt digital currencies, the concept of cryptocurrency as a mainstream financial instrument continues to gain traction. Today, it’s not just early adopters and tech enthusiasts who see the value in crypto: major institutions and consumer-facing platforms in industries such as tourism, marketing and real estate are publicly embracing it. This cross-industry integration not only validates the technology but also paves the way for crypto to become a fundamental component of the world’s financial infrastructure.

The lines between traditional and digital finance are blurring, and as this trend accelerates, it’s increasingly clear that cryptocurrencies are here to stay. While uncertanty and complexity still surround regulation and scalability, the right momentum for cryptocurrencies is undeniable.