Introduction

The invention of Bitcoin marked a paradigm shift in how we perceive value and money. While the original vision was to create a decentralized, peer-to-peer electronic cash system, the real-world use of crypto for everyday purchases has remained niche. Despite over a decade of innovation and rising adoption, spending digital assets in physical stores remains inconvenient and disconnected from mainstream commerce.

1.1. Beyond Store of Value

Bitcoin and its successors have succeeded spectacularly in capturing global attention as alternative stores of value and instruments of speculation. Yet, the leap from holding crypto to using it as a true medium of exchange has been hampered by volatility, limited merchant infrastructure, and a lack of regulatory clarity.

1.2. Real-World Infrastructure

PaywithCrypto was built not as an experiment, but as a functioning product from day one — with real users, live merchants, and verified transactions. Our POS devices are actively being deployed, and our platform integrates directly with regulated financial partners, giving merchants the option to receive fiat instantly or hold crypto securely. We’ve combined blockchain innovation with everyday usability.

1.3. Hybrid Governance & Local Compliance

Unlike purely decentralized systems or strictly custodial gateways, PaywithCrypto operates as a compliant, non-custodial solution that aligns with local financial regulations. Our infrastructure enables trust-minimized transactions, while integrating AML/KYC measures through our licensed partners — giving us scalability without compromising compliance.

1.4. The Problem Today

Despite hundreds of millions of people owning crypto, very few can actually use it to pay for essentials. In fact, many crypto holders in tourist hubs or developing economies face a disconnect between the value they hold and the goods they want to buy. Daily transactions still require a manual process of cashing out to fiat via OTCs or centralized platforms.

1.5. Complexity Blocks Access

The average person still finds crypto intimidating — seed phrases, gas fees, QR wallets, bridging assets, and wallet security are barriers to daily use. For crypto to reach its full potential, these barriers must be invisible to the end user, just like how one doesn’t need to understand SWIFT to use a credit card.

1.6. A Disconnect from Daily Life

Most crypto platforms are built for trading, not transacting. As long as crypto remains locked in exchanges or speculative wallets, it will fail to serve the billions who need financial access, faster remittance options, or spending solutions in underbanked regions.

1.7. The PaywithCrypto Solution

PaywithCrypto bridges this gap — enabling people to spend crypto at real-world merchants using a simple QR scan. From food vendors to hotels and beauty salons, anyone can now accept crypto and receive local fiat without needing to understand blockchain technology. Merchants can keep USDT or instantly convert to their local currency with one tap.

1.8. Real Implementation

The solution is already operational. Our POS terminals are live, and our backend is integrated with licensed OTCs like COINS (Thailand), offering compliant crypto-to-fiat conversions in real time. We support Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and stablecoins like USDT and USDC — all ready for use in our existing merchant network.

1.9. Regulated On-Ramp & Off-Ramp

Thanks to partnerships with licensed VASPs and financial service providers, all transactions follow anti-money laundering protocols, ensuring merchants stay safe and within regulatory bounds. Users transact with ease, and merchants receive funds securely — either in crypto or fiat.

1.10. Designed for Inclusion and Growth

With minimal hardware requirements and user-friendly interfaces, PaywithCrypto was designed for the developing world. Our first major rollout is in Phuket, Thailand, where over 1 million Russian expats — many of whom are unbanked — rely on crypto for daily spending. Instead of using OTCs, they now have a secure, compliant, and instant way to spend their digital assets.