Crypto Everywhere: Are You Ready?
Walking through the neighborhood, you can't help but notice a big orange sign advertising a Bitcoin ATM. Haven't seen a crypto ATM in your world yet? Pay attention next time you take an excursion to an outlet mall, gas station, or convenience store; be on the lookout, and you may find one. If you prefer exploring from the comfort of your home, let Google Maps do the work for you, and you will be amazed by the ease of accessibility of crypto in your part of the woods. You need not look any further than your PayPal or Venmo app to find ways to acquire crypto.
Crypto is here to stay, and unlike many transformational technologies before it, it is evolving at a rapid pace. It is fueled by the potential of Web3, a decentralized paradigm redefining the way we interact with technology, organize, and make decisions. Programmable tokens on blockchain networks are unlocking new business models previously impossible—fractional ownership of high-value assets, transparent supply chain verification, and self-executing smart contracts that eliminate middlemen. The remarkably low barriers to participation mean entrepreneurs from virtually anywhere can innovate in this space. Meanwhile, complementary technologies like AI and Quantum are reinforcing each other's respective value propositions and capabilities.
So, if it is so spectacular, why isn't the adoption uptick more apparent and commonplace in our everyday lives? The nascency of the technology, the need for standardized methods of use, and the necessity of regulation to foster safe innovation and understand the framework in which crypto operates for business applications differ from traditional practices.
From years of being immersed in technology transformations and adoption, what is apparent above all else for successfully navigating change is adaptability and taking inventory of the current state. Always ask how an investment will enhance your business goals while accounting for both the short-term and long-term strategy. Does it make sense to be a loss leader or a leading winner? Internally, do you have the capacity to maintain and support the technology, and what does readiness look like for your organization?
For providers of crypto services, it is equally important to ask what readiness looks like when onboarding clients and what customer retention will look like to maintain long-term profitable relationships. It is thrilling to chase the sale, but how to remain a relevant provider of choice is the tougher question to unpack.
My crypto journey began unexpectedly at a 2013 TEDxMidAtlantic talk where Juan Llanos illuminated Bitcoin's potential as a transformative payment vehicle. Though I didn't immediately dive in—I was deeply immersed in cloud infrastructure transformation learning at the time—that presentation planted a seed that would later flourish. Fast forward to 2021: while working on a cloud-based faster payments system, I reconnected with that moment of inspiration. Suddenly, I saw how blockchain technology could address the very challenges many dedicated colleagues and I were working to solve—bringing financial inclusion to underserved markets and enabling innovative alternatives to reach a broader audience of participants. The promise of instant, borderless transactions that Juan described years earlier had evolved into a robust ecosystem of possibilities. That realization brought my career full circle, and I've been dedicated to exploring these technologies ever since.
Avane Strategies stands ready to guide your organization through the crypto transformation journey, helping you navigate this evolving landscape with strategic insight, technical expertise, and a tailored approach that aligns with your business objectives—because in the rapidly changing world of digital assets, having the right partner makes all the difference between simply participating and truly thriving.
The information provided in this article is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not represent a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any particular cryptocurrency or digital asset
TEDxMidAtlantic, October 25 and October 26, 2013
