Back in August, Ainslie Bullion in Brisbane, Australia started accepting crypto currency as a payment option for bullion products. This was a move driven by customer demand and was a new and successful chapter for the business.
As part of their expansion into the crypto space, they also began offering a service whereby customers can purchase paper wallets that are created in their office and, like metal purchases, can be taken by the customer or actually securely vaulted. Additionally, it's possible for customers to sell metal for crypto or even to simply buy and sell crypto directly without any metal involvement.
Currently the business deals in Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum and Ripple and they have admitted that they are looking to expand this offering into the future.
In what is quite a well rounded product offering, Ainslie also have experience in self managed superannuation. Holding precious metal in a SMSF is already an established option but interestingly, it's also possible to hold cryptocurrency as an audit trail is possible for accounting purposes.
Today Ainslie published here a very interesting snippet which features director Paul Engeman's recent interview with Alex Saunders.
It's a brief clip but is a very well rounded summary of the opportunities that the business saw in the introduction of cryptocurrency and an interesting insight into customer demand and the complimentary roles that precious metals and cryptocurrency play in a balanced and uncorrelated portfolio.
For those unfamiliar with Alex's work, the following excerpt courtesy of the Ainslie link above does an excellent job of introducing it.
Alex 'Nugget' Saunders was a fan of precious metals after reading about the GFC and the inner workings of the current financial system. Since 2012 he's been living and breathing Bitcoin. He now runs Australia's largest cryptocurrency Youtube channel 'Nugget's News'. In a world of misinformation and hype, his passion is educating others in a factual, unbiased manner. He now covers all the latest blockchain related projects and the overall happenings in the cryptocurrency markets. He recently completed a nation wide tour with free meet ups in most capital cities. He is fast becoming one of the leading voices in the cryptocurrency space in Australia and Internationally.
Personally, I feel that the amalgamation of cryptocurrency and bullion as forms of sound money is a very sensible business model and the Ainslie experience has provided some decent evidence that it works in the "real world". The balancing forces of the old and the new, the stable and the volatile, the digital and the physical in a one stop shop is appealing to a broad audience.
Importantly, businesses that incorporate both precious metals and cryto into their product suites help to facilitate transactions between the two that exclude fiat and help to introduce bullion buffs to crypto and visa versa. I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes an increasing trend in the future and I for one would be happy to see it!
What do you think? Is this just the start of businesses of all walk integrating crypto into their operations? I look forwrd to your thoughts and thank you for reading!
Integration between digital assets and tangible assets is a great thing to do. It acts as a medium between the two markets. Serves the customers of both. It is always advisable to divide your investment and earn from multiple sources.
Metal trading has a huge local market and Ainslie Bullion is one leading gold & silver bullion dealers in Australia. And they have been into this business since a long time ago like in the 70s. By introducing cryptocurrenices like BTC, ETH, LTC and XRP, they have entered in a cross market section. This is has just started and as you mentioned @nolnocluap, this trend will be followed by many businesses out there. Win-Win for both - Customer and the Firm. 🍻
Couldn't agree more @hungryhustle. Very well put. Win-win!
I just watched this the other day, on the Ainslie bullion website.
I also emailed Paul from Ainslie, requesting he look into accepting steem/SBD for bullion purchases.
I know @phelimint is doing so, which will come in handy for the steem coins, but I'd rather not deal with Customs if I don't have to.
His response was encouraging.
Yes, we are looking at expanding our offerings and steem is certainly on the list for consideration.
We are also looking at our systems and liquidity solutions for such non 'mainstream' coins and new offerings will be made once that project is under our belt.
I was at Ainslie earlier this week and they mentioned getting bitcoin cash set up next and looking at others from there! Definitely a smart business move especially seeing as though not many are heading down this path.
They mentioned demand in December was crazy but everyone is freaking now the price has dropped????? Now is the time to buy and HODL
Hi @firdog78. It's a great place to visit. I've been there many times myself. Great to meet a fellow customer! Bitcoin Cash has certainly proven to be much more than the flash-in-the-pan that many thought it would be pre-fork. As @mattclarke mentioned, they're looking at Steem support too, now that's exciting for us on this platform!
Be great to see them take Steem or SBD
The trick is convincing them to list it; then making sure its worth the effort.
Absolutely agree. I will definitely add to my silver stack if they do.
As will I. The silver hooks have really dug in :)
I love my crypto, but taking some profit in silver makes it tangible.
That's very promising @mattclarke! Paul is a genuine and intelligent chap and I'm sure they've got the acumen to pull off Steem support should it prove to be a viable prospect for them.
I can't imagine him electing to accept steem and subsequently deciding it was a mistake :)
Seems sensible to accept a crypto that can be acquired through effort rather than via an exchange, although there are many considerations that may not be that evident in the surface. Would be a nice closed loop from blogging to stacking! Fingers crossed 👍
This is great other enterprises should start accepting crypto currency too
Hey @oseval, that's certainly my vibe too. Thanks for the comment!
@nolnocluap this is start only in future very business deal done with crypto because of it's secure fast and atractive in growing world and for new genration so in future I have plan for small business so I'll use crypto as payment 😊
Sounds great @farhanali! What are your business plans and what cryptos are you loking to accept?
@nolnocluap I have different Idea in my field of IT and my ideas are in planing phase and crypto i want select Steem or SBD becuase there is no tranfering fees thats key point every crypto have networking fees but steemit is free 😊
Very true. Interested to learn more when your plans advance. Best of luck to you!
yup thank you 😊
incorporating both precious metals and cryto is very smart indeed!
Hi @buster544. It certainly shows initiative and seeing a successful case like the may prompt others to follow. Thanks for the comment!
Interested