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Exploring the feasibility & potential for recurring crypto payments

Exploring the feasibility & potential for recurring crypto payments

Exploring the feasibility & potential for recurring crypto payments

Exploring the feasibility & potential for recurring crypto payments

Acctual Team

Jul 31, 2024

Guide on Crypto Recurring Payments
Guide on Crypto Recurring Payments
Guide on Crypto Recurring Payments

Crypto recurring payments are becoming more common in crypto accounting. Managing these payments efficiently is crucial for businesses. This guide will explore streamlining your crypto accounting processes with recurring payments.

For an efficient solution, try Acctual's crypto accounting software. It helps track, analyze, and report your crypto transactions accurately.

What Are Crypto Recurring Payments

Crypto recurring payments can use digital assets for regular, automated transactions, like subscriptions or membership fees. Imagine you’re paying for a streaming service or a monthly subscription, but instead of using traditional payment methods like credit cards, you’re using digital assets such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.

With crypto recurring payments, the process is set up to automatically deduct the agreed amount from your wallet at regular intervals, just like how subscription services charge your credit card. This system leverages blockchain technology to ensure payments are secure and transparent, but it comes with unique challenges, like dealing with price volatility. Overall, it’s an innovative way to handle regular payments, offering a glimpse into the evolving future of financial transactions.

While crypto subscription payments remain limited, various initiatives aim to broaden their availability. Among these, BitPay has collaborated with industry giants like Microsoft and Shopify. Additionally, companies like PayPal, Square, and VISA are integrating crypto payments into their platforms, suggesting a growing acceptance of digital assets among businesses and consumers alike.

Subscribing to a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service using crypto is a famous use case. It offers privacy-conscious users a secure and anonymous way to protect their online activities. This trend bodes well for individuals seeking to utilize crypto for subscription payments, as it enhances accessibility and expands the range of businesses accepting such transactions.

Benefits Of Crypto Recurring Payments

Crypto is becoming an increasingly popular way to pay for goods and services, with several advantages that make it an attractive payment option for subscription businesses. Here are some of the benefits associated with using crypto recurring payments:

Community-first

Decentralization is a central property of Crypto, making many Crypto communities community-driven. These growing fanbases contribute to a rare level of engagement not seen in other types of communities. This community-first mantra perfectly matches the subscription model, which relies on building a close relationship with customers.

Lower Fees

Crypto payments often have lower fees than traditional credit card payments. For instance, when you pay with Bitcoin, the cost is usually less than one percent, making a big difference for businesses with many small transactions like subscription businesses.

Instant Settlement

Unlike credit card payments that can take days to settle, Crypto payments are often settled instantly due to their decentralized nature and lack of intermediaries compared to traditional fiat currencies.

Fraud-Free

Each Crypto transaction is secured with a digital signature that can't be forged, making it more challenging for fraudsters to take advantage of businesses than credit card payments, where anyone with credit card information can process transactions.

Global Reach

Crypto can be used to send and receive payments anywhere in the world without a bank account, credit card, or hidden fees, unlike current payment processors with country-specific restrictions.

Reduced Churn and Increased Customer Retention

Recurring payments foster customer loyalty and retention, with customers who set up recurring payments more likely to continue using services or purchasing products over extended periods. Businesses can increase lifetime value by offering a convenient and hassle-free payment option.

Acctual is crypto accounting software for businesses and freelancers transacting in digital assets. It simplifies accounts payable and receivable, making it easy to pay bills and send invoices in crypto. Our flexible options let you pay in crypto while vendors receive fiat, receive crypto while clients pay in fiat, or receive fiat while clients pay in crypto. We also integrate with your accounting system, saving you time on month-end reconciliation.

Key features:

  • Multi-level approvals for bills

  • Fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat payments

  • Built-in AML screening

  • Crypto invoice links

  • Automatic payment notifications

  • With our seamless AP/AR process, automated bookkeeping, built-in internal controls, and flexible payment options, you can simplify your financial operations with us.

Book a call with our team today to learn how you can pay bills and send invoices in crypto with our crypto accounting software!

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The Feasibility Of Crypto Recurring Payments

Adopting recurring crypto payments in the blockchain world opens up exciting possibilities for businesses and consumers. Blockchain technology's decentralized nature sets it apart from traditional financial systems, and while there are challenges to navigate, there are also ample opportunities to explore. Let's dive into the feasibility of recurring crypto payments and how this innovation is changing the landscape of financial transactions. 

The Challenge of Recurring Crypto Payments

One of the major hurdles in implementing recurring crypto payments is the limited number of companies offering such services. Most existing solutions involve email billing or the creation of accounts with payment providers, which can be inconvenient and inefficient. These methods are often considered temporary solutions, and recurring payments need more seamless automation.

Email Subscriptions: A Step in the Right Direction

Email subscriptions play a vital role in recurring crypto payments. They serve as channels for communication between businesses and customers, offering notifications, reminders, and updates on payment schedules and account statuses. While email subscriptions provide essential services, they need smoother automation that businesses and consumers desire in recurring payments.

The Promise of Smart Contracts

Smart contracts offer a more robust solution for recurring crypto payments by connecting users' web3 wallets. By using smart contracts, businesses can automate billing processes securely, ensuring that funds are debited with user consent. This approach offers transparency and simplifies both billing and auditing processes. Additionally, it eliminates the need for credit cards or bank accounts, as users connect their web3 wallets directly.

Embracing the Future of Recurring Crypto Payments

As the blockchain and crypto industries evolve, adopting recurring crypto payments presents new possibilities for businesses and consumers. By leveraging smart contracts and web3 wallets, companies can streamline their billing processes and offer customers a more convenient payment experience. While challenges remain, the future of recurring crypto payments holds significant promise for the financial landscape.

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Challenges Of Implementing Crypto Recurring Payments

Push vs. Pull Transactions

Traditional payment systems allow merchants to initiate transactions, making recurring payments easier. However, digital assets primarily support push transactions, requiring customers to send payments manually. This complicates the setup for recurring payments and demands more effort to ensure timely and accurate payments. 

Volatility

The fluctuating values of digital assets can create significant pricing challenges for businesses. This volatility affects invoicing accuracy and revenue stability because the value of received payments can vary considerably by the time they are converted into fiat currency or used for business expenses.

Network Congestion

Gas fees can become highly variable and expensive on networks like Ethereum during network congestion or high demand. This variability impacts the cost-effectiveness of processing low-value subscription payments, making it less feasible for businesses to offer affordable subscription services.

High Switching Costs

Merchants' limited acceptance of digital assets and transactions' irreversibility can deter customers who are accustomed to the safety nets of traditional payment methods. The transition to crypto payments involves overcoming these barriers and addressing concerns related to transaction security and ease of use.

Finding solutions to these challenges will be crucial for adopting crypto subscription payments. Possible solutions could involve improved payment infrastructure, stablecoins to mitigate volatility, and enhancements in transaction processing technology.

Overcoming The Challenges Of Crypto Recurring Payments Solutions

Stablecoins for Price Stability

One of the biggest challenges businesses face in crypto recurring payments is the crypto price volatility issue. However, a solution exists in the form of stablecoins. These digital assets are pegged to the value of fiat currencies, offering a more stable medium of exchange for both businesses and consumers. 

By integrating stablecoins into their recurring payment systems, businesses can alleviate concerns related to price fluctuations. This contributes to a more stable and predictable financial landscape, fostering trust and reliability in the crypto payment ecosystem.

User-Friendly Platforms

Navigating the complexities of crypto recurring payments can be daunting for many users. To address this challenge, businesses must prioritize creating intuitive and user-friendly platforms and interfaces. These platforms should guide users through the process of setting up and managing their recurring payments with ease. 

Businesses can encourage wider adoption of recurring crypto payments by offering a smooth experience that does not require extensive technical knowledge. User-friendly interfaces are vital for simplifying the onboarding process and maintaining user engagement.

Educational Initiatives

Education plays a vital role in promoting the adoption of recurring crypto payments. Businesses and crypto service providers should invest in educational initiatives to raise awareness about the benefits, risks, and steps in managing recurring crypto transactions. 

By providing clear and comprehensive educational materials, businesses can empower users to make informed decisions regarding their crypto payments. Increasing public awareness promotes trust and confidence in the crypto ecosystem, fostering a vibrant and engaged community.

Compliance with Regulatory Standards

Navigating the regulatory landscape is vital to maintaining compliance in the realm of crypto recurring payments. As regulatory standards evolve, businesses must stay abreast of changes and adapt their recurring payment systems accordingly. 

Collaboration with legal experts can provide valuable insights into regulatory compliance, ensuring businesses meet the necessary standards. By adhering to regulation, companies demonstrate their commitment to transparency and accountability, fostering trust within the crypto community.

Platforms Offering Crypto Recurring Payment Solutions

1. Acctual

Acctual is crypto accounting software for businesses and freelancers transacting in digital assets. It simplifies accounts payable and receivable, making it easy to pay bills and send invoices in crypto. Our flexible options let you pay in crypto while vendors receive fiat, receive crypto while clients pay in fiat, or receive fiat while clients pay in crypto. We also integrate with your accounting system, saving you time on month-end reconciliation.

Key features:

  • Multi-level approvals for bills

  • Fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat payments

  • Built-in AML screening

  • Crypto invoice links

  • Automatic payment notifications

  • With our seamless AP/AR process, automated bookkeeping, built-in internal controls, and flexible payment options, you can simplify your financial operations with us.

Book a call with our team to learn how to pay bills and send invoices in crypto with our crypto accounting software. 

2. Crypto.com

Crypto.com enables businesses to set up subscription services that allow customers to make recurring payments using digital assets. This is particularly useful for companies that operate on a subscription model, such as streaming services or SaaS platforms.

3. NOWPayments

NOWPayments enables businesses to create custom subscription plans and manage recurring crypto invoices with ease. Key capabilities include setting up subscription-based payment options for automatic recurring payments based on predefined schedules. This ensures that businesses can maintain regular income streams while providing convenience to their customers.

4. Radom

Radom provides a comprehensive subscription billing system designed for businesses to effectively manage recurring crypto payments. The platform is tailored to simplify setting up and handling subscriptions, offering a range of features that enhance user experience and operational efficiency. One of Radom's standout features is its ability to create custom subscription plans using various billing models.

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The Future Of Crypto Recurring Payments

1. Increased Adoption and Integration

As digital assets become more mainstream, recurring payment solutions will likely gain broader acceptance. Businesses and service providers will integrate crypto payment options into their subscription models, making it easier for users to pay with digital assets.

2. Enhanced Payment Platforms

Emerging platforms and technologies are being developed to streamline and secure crypto recurring payments. These platforms will offer advanced features such as automated billing, real-time transaction tracking, and improved user interfaces to make managing subscriptions more convenient.

3. Stablecoins as a Standard

To address volatility concerns, stablecoins—digital assets pegged to stable assets like the US dollar—are expected to become a preferred choice for recurring payments. Their stability will make them more attractive to both consumers and businesses.

4. Smart Contracts and Automation

The use of smart contracts on blockchain networks will automate recurring payments, reducing the need for intermediaries and minimizing transaction fees. This automation will enhance transparency and security in the payment process.

5. Regulatory Evolution

As crypto payments become more common, regulatory frameworks will evolve to address compliance and security issues. This will provide more precise guidelines for businesses and users, fostering a safer environment for crypto recurring payments.

Pay Your Bills In Crypto With Our Crypto Accounting Software Today - Book A Demo To Learn More

Acctual is crypto accounting software for businesses and freelancers transacting in digital assets. It simplifies accounts payable and receivable, making it easy to pay bills and send invoices in crypto. Our flexible options let you pay in crypto while vendors receive fiat, receive crypto while clients pay in fiat, or receive fiat while clients pay in crypto. We also integrate with your accounting system, saving you time on month-end reconciliation.

Key features:

  • Multi-level approvals for bills

  • Fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat payments

  • Built-in AML screening

  • Crypto invoice links

  • Automatic payment notifications

  • With our seamless AP/AR process, automated bookkeeping, built-in internal controls, and flexible payment options, you can simplify your financial operations with us.

Book a call with our team to learn how to pay bills and send invoices in crypto with our crypto accounting software. 

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