Stripe tackles 'cold start problem' with the launch of fiat-to-crypto onramp

Internet payment processor Stripe has introduced a fiat-to-crypto onramp to address the “cold start problem” faced by Web3 companies as a result of customers not having “crypto in their wallets to carry out transactions.”

According to a May 4 statement, Stripe’s newly launched fiat-to-crypto onramp – which will be hosted by Stripe itself – will enable Web3 companies to provide US-based customers with the ability to purchase crypto “at the precise moment they need it,” without the need to embed any code into a website or app.

Guillaume Poncin, head of engineering for crypto at Stripe said Stripe will handle compliance-related tasks for Web3 companies using the onramp – such as conversion and authorization optimization, identity verification and fraud prevention – in an effort to help “customers start using Web3 services quickly and safely.”

It was noted that built-in tools for fraud detection and identity verification were implemented to support companies in meeting Know Your Customer (KYC) and compliance requirements.

We’re introducing a Stripe-hosted fiat-to-crypto onramp (no code required) and unlocking the waitlist for the embeddable onramp. https://t.co/U9OW2cjFrZ pic.twitter.com/jjmkDUiOqc

— Stripe (@stripe) May 4, 2023

It was highlighted that Web3 companies often face challenges from customers not possessing crypto in their wallets when seeking to offer crypto and blockchain services. It noted:

“Companies interested in offering cryptocurrency and blockchain-enabled experiences often face a cold start problem: Their customers don’t have the crypto in their wallets to carry out transactions”

Stripe’s hosted-onramp has been implemented by several Web3 companies including privacy-focused browser Brave, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol 1inch and blockchain protocol Lens Protocol.

James Mudgett, vice president of Web3 products at Brave stated that the service will allow the platform to “reach new Web3 users.”

Meanwhile, Sergei Kunz, cofounder at 1inch, highlighted the importance of building “bridges between Web2 and Web3,” adding that Stripe’s experience with Web3 companies makes them “well positioned to help.”

Speaking to Cointelegraph, Ohm Shah, co-founder of Wallet Guard stated that Stripe’s new offering could “allow for many people to easily enter into Web3.”

However, Shah stressed the importance of conducting due diligence before purchasing digital assets, even if the customer knows of the company providing the fiat-to-crypto onramp. He noted:

“While on-ramping with Stripe to purchase your very first NFT can be exciting, it’s important to consider how easy it is to lose your assets as all it takes is one malicious signature.”

This comes after mobile payments service Venmo announced its own fiat-to-crypto payment service on April 28.

During an interview at Consensus 2023, PayPal executive Jose Fernandez da Ponte said that starting in May the company is going to be “enabling on-chain transfers from Venmo wallets.”

Robinhood also announced its own fiat-to-crypto on-ramp – Robinhood Connect – at Consensus 2023, allowing users to directly purchase and sell cryptocurrency using a credit or debit card, either in their self-custody wallet or natively in Decentralized applications (DApps).

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