Starting from today, Android users can link their Coinbase card to their Google Pay wallets. This might be a good example that the crisis pushed the crypto market towards utility.
Coinbase and Google, Two Tech Giants Join
As the crypto market is losing its attractiveness as a refuge for investors amid market turmoil, it is gaining on the utility side. On Tuesday, Coinbase Card, a Visa-based debit card that can be funded with crypto, is working with Google Pay.
Thus, the largest crypto exchange operator in the US becomes the first company that allows users to make mobile payments with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Coinbase says. Android users can add the card directly to their Google Pay wallet and pay with crypto for various services on the app.
Starting from Tuesday, Coinbase Card payments on Google Pay is available for clients in the US, Belgium, France, Italy, Finland, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. The exchange operator is working on expanding to other EU regions later this year.
Those who want to enjoy the benefits of paying with crypto on Google Pay should download the Coinbase Card app on Android and sign in with the Coinbase account credentials. Once a card has been requested, clients can add it to Google Pay and spend crypto with it even before the physical card arrives.
The Coinbase Card app is also available with iOS devices.
Coinbase introduced its card in April last year. Initially, it launched in the UK and then gradually expanded to other European countries. The card now supports ten cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
Opera Partners with Wyre to Let Users Buy BTC, ETH via Apple Pay
iPhone users should not be discouraged because they can also enjoy positive news, as Opera has just partnered with payments firm Wyre to allow US customers to buy Bitcoin and Ether via Apple Pay. Opera has introduced this new feature to all browsers. Users can buy BTC and ETH via Apple Pay directly from Opera’s proprietary crypto wallet.
Android users in the US can also enjoy the feature and buy BTC and ETH through a debit card.
Opera’s head of crypto Charles Hamel commented:
“In the past, obtaining cryptocurrencies was a cumbersome process that took hours or even days. When you compare it with this seamless solution, which takes less than 30 seconds, it really is a gamechanger.”
Thus, the crypto market is rushing towards utility. Yesterday, Hong Kong-based Crypto.com said that it was officially shipping MCO Visa debit cards to UK customers.
Do you think that the current market crisis will unleash the potential of more practical apps instead of those focused on investment? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
Image via Shutterstock