Retail Trends in Crypto I Notum

Intro

In recent years, the combination of technology and finance has revolutionized the way users see and engage with cryptocurrency. Beyond its implications for traditional financial systems, the impact of crypto has come into various sectors, including the retail industry. As cryptocurrency continues to evolve, retailers worldwide recognize its potential to reshape their operations and engage with customers in new ways. From accepting cryptocurrencies as a legitimate form of payment to exploring the possibilities of blockchain technology in supply chains, these trends signify an important moment in retail history. Today's article from Notum will tell you more about current retail trends and help you gain insight into the future of retail in the age of crypto. 

Retail Investors: What Do They Do?

Retail investors in crypto are individuals or small-scale investors who participate in the cryptocurrency market on a personal basis rather than as part of a larger institution or organization. These investors typically buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies for their personal investment portfolios. Retail crypto investors might not have significant financial resources or expertise compared to institutional investors or professional traders. Also, they tend to invest smaller amounts of money compared to institutions. Retail investors often start with modest investments and gradually increase their exposure to cryptos as they gain more confidence and knowledge.

Retailers play a significant role in the cryptocurrency market by contributing to liquidity, price discovery, and adoption. Typically, they do the following:

• Buying Cryptocurrencies. Retail investors purchase various cryptos like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins through online exchanges.
• Holding. Many retail investors adopt a strategy of holding onto their cryptocurrency holdings for the long term. They believe in the potential long-term growth of cryptocurrencies and choose not to react to short-term market fluctuations.
• Trading. While some retail investors adopt a buy-and-hold strategy, others engage in active trading. They buy and sell cryptocurrencies with the goal of profiting from short-term price movements.
• ICOs and Token Sales Participation. In the past, retail investors often participated in ICOs and token sales, where new cryptocurrencies were introduced to the market. However, due to regulatory concerns and a higher number of scams, ICO participation has decreased in recent years.
• Staking and Yield Farming. Some retail investors engage in staking and yield farming. Staking involves holding a crypto in a wallet to support the network's operations and earn rewards, while yield farming is about providing liquidity to DeFi platforms in exchange for interest or rewards.

Role of Retailers in the Crypto World

Retailers play a significant role in the crypto world, bridging the gap between digital currencies and everyday transactions. As known, retailers are using crypto as an alternative payment option. By allowing customers to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins to make purchases, retailers cater to growing crypto consumers. This diversifies payment options and reduces reliance on traditional banking systems, potentially lowering transaction fees and processing times for international transactions. “Retail investors have been instrumental in driving demand and often lured by the seduction of ‘moonshot’ returns from crypto’s decentralized freedom of access.” – Beincrypto.

Also, retailers are using blockchain technology, the underlying technology of most cryptocurrencies, to enhance supply chain management and traceability. Blockchain's immutable and transparent nature enables retailers to track the origin of products, ensuring authenticity and reducing fraud. Furthermore, some forward-thinking retailers are even exploring the concept of tokenized loyalty programs. By issuing their own branded tokens on the blockchain, retailers can create more flexible and valuable loyalty rewards for customers. These tokens can be used for discounts, exclusive access, or even traded on crypto exchanges, increasing customer engagement and brand loyalty.

Main Retail Trends in Crypto

• Increased Acceptance and Adoption. More retailers were starting to accept cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. This trend was being driven by growing awareness and acceptance of cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• Crypto Payment Processors. Companies were emerging to offer specialized payment processing services for cryptocurrencies. These services made it easier for retailers to accept a wide range of cryptos without directly handling the complexities of managing wallets and addresses.
• Loyalty Programs and Rewards. Some retailers were exploring the use of cryptocurrencies to create loyalty programs and reward systems. Customers could earn tokens or coins for making purchases, which could then be redeemed for future discounts or products.
• Non-Fungible Tokens. While NFTs gained significant traction in the art and entertainment industries, some retailers were also exploring their use to sell unique digital goods or limited-edition products.
• Decentralized Marketplaces. Decentralized marketplaces are being developed, where individuals can now buy and sell products directly using cryptocurrencies without the need for intermediaries.
• Tokenized Real-World Assets. Some projects aimed to tokenize real-world assets like real estate or commodities, allowing retail investors to own fractional shares of these assets through cryptocurrencies.
• Stablecoins for Retail Payments. Stablecoins are used as a more reliable medium of exchange for retail payments due to their price stability.

Latest Retail Crypto Updates & News

In 2022-2023, a growing number of retail investors led to greater adoption of cryptocurrencies, which helped make digital currency an alternative to traditional money. Even though the cryptocurrency market suffered numerous collapses in 2022 (for example, FTX), retailers, according to Glassnode research, continued to contribute to the crypto world. Studies also state that in 2023 the number of female crypto investors has increased significantly compared to the beginning of 2022, which also indicates their belief in the further growth and development of cryptocurrency. It should also be noted that many retail investors play an important role in the crypto world as they are also developers and entrepreneurs who are pushing a huge number of different blockchain-based projects, apps, and services in 2023. Their contribution not only expands the possibilities of cryptocurrency but also offers new opportunities for innovation.

Undoubtedly, as products in the crypto market continue to be updated, this affects retail investor trends. For example, the emergence and widespread use of stablecoins adds a peg to traditional currencies. In addition, “the emergence of perpetual contracts has further increased the stability and liquidity of crypto prices” – Beincrypto. Also, lowering the investment threshold and simplifying products allows more investors to participate in cryptocurrency trading, which was not the case a few years ago. 2023 also sees more learning opportunities for retailers. Various crypto platforms such as Bitget Academy have their own guides and courses that help users gain knowledge in cryptography, trading, and blockchain.

SocialFi is also an emerging retail trend in the crypto space, combining DeFi with social networking. It enables users to engage in financial activities like trading, lending, and yield farming within a social platform. This concept fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community-driven decision-making. SocialFi platforms often offer features like social trading, where users can follow and mimic successful traders, as well as reward mechanisms for valuable contributions. By combining financial interactions with social elements, SocialFi aims to democratize finance, making it more accessible, educational, and interactive for a broader range of users. Through integrating social elements, SocialFi platforms like friend.tech create a dynamic environment where users can learn, earn, and participate actively in the evolving crypto space.

Source: DefiLlama

Liquid staking can as well be called a notable retail trend in the crypto space, revolutionizing how Proof-of-Stake assets are used. By tokenizing locked staking assets, participants can retain exposure to staking rewards while also gaining the flexibility to trade or employ their holdings within the DeFi ecosystem. This approach enhances liquidity and expands the potential use cases for staked assets, combining traditional staking and active trading for retail investors.

Final Word

As said, the emergence of retail trends in the crypto space holds transformative potential for both consumers and businesses alike. The increasing acceptance of cryptos as a valid mode of payment, along with the integration of blockchain technology for enhanced security and transparency, is reshaping the way transactions occur in the retail sector.

While the adoption of crypto in retail presents remarkable opportunities, it has its own challenges. Volatility, regulatory uncertainties, and the need for widespread education are factors that must be considered. However, the growing support from major players in the financial and technological realms, coupled with the demand for more efficient and inclusive financial systems, indicate that crypto's integration into retail is a trend with lasting impact. By using the benefits of decentralized systems and innovative payment methods, retailers can position themselves at the forefront of the evolution in the way we buy and sell, fostering a future where traditional and digital economies go along.

Disclaimer: Notum does not provide any investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. This article is written for informational purposes only. Cryptocurrency is subject to market risk. Please do your own research and trade with caution.