Digital currencies are growing at an overwhelming rate and gaining a lot of traction in recent times. As the hype surrounding cryptos continues to escalate, the dynamics of the finance sector are set to undergo major revolutions and more people than ever are investing massively in this new gold mine.
With the total marketing capitalization of cryptocurrencies soaring above $1.28 trillion, its potential to disrupt traditional payment systems has become quite evident and is now being considered as the future of finance.
But have you ever wondered why digital currencies are so irresistible? Well, here in this piece, we’ll take you closer to the world of cryptocurrencies and how they are challenging the status quo of traditional finance.
The Rise of Digital Currencies
It’s been over a decade since the first and major key player in the crypto market stormed the finance sector and learning how to buy bitcoin became a top priority for individuals and businesses alike. But now in 2023, we’ve seen a few other key players join the competition.
While Bitcoin is valued at $534.77 billion, the likes of Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin boast of a market capitalization of over $100 billion.
However, the fuss over digital currencies didn’t happen overnight as you know it, there were some factors that greatly influenced their growth.
You might want to check out the ones listed below to have a deeper understanding on why cryptos will always keep the tempo high;
- Increasing awareness about decentralized and unpredictable systems; digital currencies operate outside the jurisdiction of central banks or governments.
- Growing popularity of their potential as a viable means of payment and store of value.
- Increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies among individuals, small, and large businesses alike.
- Proliferating amount of storage options made available for digital currencies coupled with the ease of buying.
Since the inception of bitcoin in 2009, cryptocurrencies have seen major innovations like cross-border payments, real-time IoT operating programs and identity management systems to name but a few.
And thanks to blockchain technologies like Ethereum, most traditional financial services involving buying and selling, lending and borrowing can be fully automated.
All of these and more have contributed immensely to the dominance of digital currencies over the years and if this persists, cryptocurrencies may become the order of the day within a short space of time.
8 Advantages of Digital Currencies over Traditional Payment Systems
With digital currencies set to disrupt the viability of traditional payment systems, let’s peruse the benefits and surprises to have a sneak peek on what awaits us in the future.
- Faster and more effective transactions
Obviously, one of the most significant impacts of digital currencies is the speed and efficiency they bring to transactions. Cryptos are an extension of blockchain technologies and decentralized systems which paves the way for easy and seamless payment processes.
When compared with traditional systems, credit and debit cards aren’t consistent and may take a day or more for transactions to be completed and reflected in your account. On the other hand, crypto transactions are characterized with instantaneous payment updates.
While the speed advantage makes it an attractive option for businesses to process payments swiftly and effectively, it paves way for better client-customer experience.
- Decentralization of transactions
Cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology making it free of any governmental or central authority influence. As a result, business transactions tend to be more decentralized, leaving out any third-party from monitoring your payments. The transaction details are apparent to the sender and receiver alone.
And again, the value of cryptocurrencies aren’t influenced by economic meltdown or political events giving consumers and users alike more authority over their funds.
- Reduced transaction costs
The heavy transaction fees levied by traditional banking systems can be maddening and particularly unsuitable for individuals and businesses who perform hundreds to thousands of transactions each day.
This perhaps is the singular most important reason why digital currencies are having a growing popularity and adoption. With the absence of intermediaries like banks and other financial institutions, you can be sure to eliminate the extra bit of stress on having to worry about heavy transaction costs on services like wire transfers and currency exchange.
More interestingly, cryptos only exist in the digital space, meaning you don’t have to worry about the extra costs of production and distribution as in traditional physical currencies.
- Enhanced customer experience
Customers are the bedrock of any business and a good customer experience is your best shot at building a community of loyal and satisfied customers.
Digital currencies and blockchain technologies are known to ameliorate customer experience. Their ability to drive an unparalleled level of convenience and seamlessness during transactions make them exceptional and suitable for businesses looking to attract and retain more customers.
Unlike traditional financial systems that are characterized with prolonged processing times, fixed and limited banking hours, onerous and time-consuming paperworks, cryptos guarantee fast and instantaneous payment processes.
With this, customers are presented with a unique and appealing value proposition which keeps your business ahead of competitors that are still affiliated with traditional banking systems.
- Increased financial involvement
About 1.4 billion adults remain unbanked globally, and this problem stems from high costs of traditional banking services and lack of access to financial service providers especially in developing countries.
The advent of digital currencies has proven to be a game-changing innovation and capable of bridging the gap by availing us of more accessible and economical digital payment systems.
Apart from providing a more inclusive financial platform, businesses can expand their networks and reach out to a wider and diversified range of customers, bringing about greater economic upturn and affluence.
- Enhance cross-border transactions
Before the emergence of cryptocurrencies, international business transactions were nothing short of bulky and expensive due to the barriers of varying currencies, unequal exchange rates and banking policies.
Now that blockchain technologies are gaining a lot of momentum, cross-border payments are getting more simplified and business transactions can be made seamlessly under a uniform digital currency.
As a result, international trades are becoming more accessible and cost-efficient, increasing the global prospects of organizations and giving them the ability to extend their tentacles into new marketing opportunities with ease. A significant competitive edge like no other!
- Possible inflation hedge
Why is the cryptocurrency market growing at such a fast pace even when it often comes with high volatility?
Unlike traditional currencies, businesses can leverage cryptos as protection against sudden inflations that arise during harsh market and economic situations.
Bitcoin for instance, has been quite impressive since inception and over time, most investors and businesses have become dependent on its potential to guard against inflation and the unstable market dynamics.
Surprisingly, bitcoin is rated as one of the most volatile digital currencies and yet, most people still fall back to it as an inflation hedge against rising prices. This is typically due to its fixed supply that prevents new coins from being introduced to the circulation.
- Increased security and traceability
Blockchain technologies are characterized with transparent and high-profile security during business transactions. Digital currencies operate on a decentralized digital ledger which paves the way for highly secure, transparent and traceable transactions.
With that, businesses can reduce the chances of fraud, money laundering and other financial threats that are popular with traditional card payments.
Potential Impact of Digital Currencies on Traditional Banking Systems
- Modification of traditional banking business models
Business transactions done with digital currencies can be done with numerous digital applications and do not require third-party authorization. The long term impact of that is a total disintermediation of traditional banking systems from all transactions.
With financial institutions extirpated from the process, it could negatively impact the revenue generated by traditional banks since they will no longer be able to impose transaction levies on payment processes such as international exchange and wire transfers.
- Effect on customer behavior and transaction processes
Cryptocurrencies give room for cheaper, faster, and more secured transactions which are essential components for enhancing customer experience. Eventually, it could lead to an increased adoption of digital currencies by the majority.
A tilt towards cryptocurrencies will lead to changes in the way transactions are carried out since cryptos operate on decentralized digital ledgers that don’t require the influence of any financial banking systems.
- Effect on international business transactions
Digital currencies provide more effective domestic and cross-border business transactions. As a result, people in developing countries who may not have easy access to traditional financial services can make seamless international transactions to relatives and make payments for goods and services.
This increases financial inclusion and access to a larger and more diversified customer base. Both of which are drivers of economic growth.
Digital Currencies Are The New Narrative
Traditional banking systems don’t stand a chance! The revolution has already begun and the transformative impact of cryptocurrencies is overwhelming.
With blockchain technologies finessing the way for cryptocurrency market, businesses are set to experience more efficient domestic and cross-border transactions, improved financial involvement and more enabling innovations that will fast-track the growth of commerce. Integrating digital currencies into the financial services cloud could enhance the customer experience and help financial institutions stay competitive in the evolving financial landscape.
While there may still be a lot of controversies about the viability of digital currencies, it’s quite evident that finance sectors are undergoing an unprecedented revolution and there’s a likelihood of seeing new financial products emerging in the near future.