You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.
The line between crypto and traditional finance is getting more fuzzy by the day. One of the problems crypto users have, particularly now that stablecoins have become so popular, is moving between blockchain and traditional finance. In other words, spending your crypto.
Stablecoins emerged out of the need from traders to park their profits in something more stable, like USD-pegged Tether or USDC, without having to re-enter the banking space.
But what if you need to pay your bills in ZAR or USD? You have to exit the blockchain and go back into the world of traditional finance. That has been a sticky and often complex undertaking.
Read: Luno and VALR Pay clients can now spend crypto at Pick n Pay stores [Sep 2023]
Spendl Money is a South African-born fintech platform that simplifies the process of converting cryptocurrency into fiat currency, making it easier than ever for users to spend their crypto.
The platform offers a debit card that functions like any traditional card, allowing users to make purchases anywhere MasterCard is accepted. This innovation addresses a serious hurdle for crypto users: how to safely and efficiently spend their digital assets.
In this podcast hosted by Ciaran Ryan, Spendl Money founder Greg van der Spuy explains what led him down this path.
“It had to pass the Mom test,” he says. “If my Mom, who knows nothing about crypto, cannot easily use the system then it fails.”
The current landscape is often fragmented, leading to confusion for newcomers.
“Spendl’s focus on infrastructure layers allows businesses and consumers to use all elements of typical financial products, digital assets, vouchers [and] payments – without the need for the crazy complex custody or tooling,” says Van der Spuy.
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One of Spendl’s main goals is to provide a seamless experience for both consumers and businesses. By offering secure storage for digital assets, allowing users to borrow against their crypto, and exposing these assets to decentralised finance, Spendl aims to close the gap between traditional finance and the future of tokenisation.
“Our aim is to create a single financial suite that caters to both digital assets and traditional banking needs,” says Van der Spuy.
The business perspective
From a business standpoint, Spendl should be of interest to those running modern treasury operations.
By simplifying the management of both traditional and digital currencies, Spendl transforms what is typically a slow, costly process into a more efficient and potentially revenue-generating operation. This is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to incorporate cryptocurrency into their operations.
“We provide a unified system for managing inflows, outflows, and holding periods, helping businesses move and store money securely and compliantly,” says Van der Spuy.
His background – he is a former paramedic who became interested in crypto through gaming – gave him a deep and personal understanding of the challenges faced by digital asset users.
Cost comparison
Spendl cards cost R99, which includes shipping.
Van der Spuy says that while there are fees from banking providers, Spendl’s pricing remains competitive when compared with international peers.
Spendl Money bridges the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional finance. By offering an easy way to spend crypto and providing a comprehensive financial suite for users, Spendl is paving the way for a future where digital assets can be used just as easily as fiat currencies.
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