Strike Expands Services To 65 Global Markets, Moves Headquarters To El Salvador

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Since its inception in 2019, Strike, the Bitcoin-powered payments app led by entrepreneur Jack Mallers, has been striving to establish itself as a global equivalent to popular payment platforms like Venmo or Cash App.

On Friday, the company made an announcement that it would expand its services to a total of 65 global markets, in addition to the United States, El Salvador, and Argentina where it already operates.

Strike Expands Operation – Brings Bitcoin Payments To 3 Billion People

During an interview with Fortune in Miami, Mallers emphasized Strike’s consumer-facing app, which facilitates seamless Bitcoin and Tether transfers through what he described as a “frictionless onboarding” process.

Mallers expressed his belief that there are billions of individuals seeking a money app with the distinctive characteristics and capabilities offered by Strike, as opposed to the complex landscape of crypto exchanges and numerous digital currencies.

He highlighted the importance of providing a user-friendly experience and contrasted it with the challenges posed by hidden licensing regimes and the vast array of cryptocurrencies.

In the midst of regulatory uncertainties faced by the U.S. crypto industry, including the Securities and Exchange Commission’s lawsuits against firms offering unregistered securities, Mallers emphasized that Strike’s Bitcoin-first approach serves as validation.

He emphasized the unique nature of Bitcoin, stating that it stands alone as a decentralized currency owned by nobody. In contrast, other instruments within the crypto industry often have founding teams, foundations, and a private distribution of tokens, resembling characteristics of securities.

Mallers recognized that Strike prioritizes regulatory compliance in the United States, taking a proactive approach that aligns with the stringent conditions for acquiring a BitLicense in New York. Although the app is presently unavailable in the state, Strike is actively pursuing the application process to fulfill the necessary requirements.

Strike’s Headquarters in El Salvador Will Fuel Global Expansion

Mallers’s announcements didn’t just stop at the company’s expansion. He further disclosed that Strike’s entry into new international markets was partially motivated by the relocation of its global headquarters to El Salvador.

This strategic move was driven by the country’s implementation of a digital assets law, which provided a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and created a favorable setting for Strike’s operations. Mallers emphasized that Strike was among the initial recipients of licenses issued under the newly established regulatory system, sharing this distinction with Bitfinex.

Mallers shares personal ties with El Salvador and its president, Nayib Bukele, who introduced Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. At the Bitcoin Miami conference in 2021, Mallers introduced Bukele through a video presentation where the president made the significant announcement.

Although Strike was initially involved in developing El Salvador’s Bitcoin experiment, the company later scaled back its participation due to technical issues and slow adoption rates.

Despite reports suggesting limited Bitcoin usage among businesses and residents of El Salvador, Mallers pointed to alternative metrics such as increased tourism as evidence of Bitcoin’s positive impact. He argued that the success of the experiment should not be solely determined by merchant adoption.

Moving forward, Strike’s next challenge involves strengthening its connections with banking services that allow customers to exchange Bitcoin for fiat currency. Currently, customers in Strike’s new markets can only receive Bitcoin from other users. However, Mallers expressed intentions to introduce new features, including a debit card, later this year.

he network congestion and increased fees experienced in Bitcoin transactions due to rising demand for new products pose further challenges. Mallers, however, contended that these issues are intrinsic to Bitcoin’s design and do not diminish the benefits the technology offers, particularly to emerging markets.

Additionally, Mallers highlighted another key feature of Strike, known as “Send Globally,” which enables users to transfer funds between USD and other currencies over the app, utilizing Bitcoin as an intermediary. This feature is currently limited to twelve countries across Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia.

To ensure stability, Strike holds dollar balances in Tether, a dollar-pegged stablecoin. Mallers explained that the decision to opt for Tether, instead of other options like Circle and Coinbase’s USD Coin, was driven by user demand in the Global South. He emphasized that Circle, in particular, lacks the trust of users in that region, as it primarily caters to American institutions.

As advocates advocate for the Lightning network’s ability to transform Bitcoin into a viable payment service, Strike’s expansion marks the initial effort to develop an app that facilitates transactions between individuals worldwide.

Mike Brock, the CEO of TBD, a Bitcoin-focused division of Block, Jack Dorsey’s financial technology company, expressed support for Strike’s endeavor, emphasizing the importance of a competitive marketplace to advance decentralized ecosystems.

Reflecting on the changing circumstances since he introduced Bukele at Bitcoin Miami two years ago, Mallers proudly donned a hat adorned with the El Salvador flag. He remarked that while people might have ridiculed him then for establishing Strike’s headquarters in El Salvador with the goal of launching a product for three billion people, the current conflicts between Coinbase and Gary Gensler, the SEC chair, demonstrate a shift in the landscape.

About Strike

Strike is a technology company operating in the financial sector. It has gained attention for its novel approach to digital currency and its impact on the industry. The company offers a platform that enables individuals to transact, store, and send money across borders quickly and securely.

Strike has eliminated the need for traditional intermediaries by utilizing blockchain technology and the Lightning Network, resulting in reduced transaction costs. This has increased accessibility to financial services, particularly for the unbanked and underbanked populations. The company has attracted a substantial user base globally, thanks to its user-friendly interface and strong security measures. Recent developments from the company have attracted a lot of investor attention.

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