The Future of Cryptocurrency Payment Platforms: A Conversation with Helio CEO Stijn Paumen
Cryptocurrency payment platforms are slowly making their way into major e-commerce platforms and retail stores, but according to Stijn Paumen, CEO of Helio, there is still a long way to go before they can match the user experience and performance of Apple Pay.
In a recent interview with Cointelegraph, Paumen highlighted the challenges faced by the crypto payment sector, noting that while Bitcoin and Ethereum are leading the way in decentralized blockchain protocols, they still fall short in terms of speed and functionality compared to traditional financial infrastructure.
Paumen emphasized the importance of improving the user experience to compete with the likes of Apple Pay, where payments can be made with a simple tap of the phone in just three seconds. He pointed to newer blockchain networks like Solana as a potential solution to bridge the gap, despite facing some initial hurdles.
Helio, founded by Paumen and CTO Jim Walker in March 2022, aims to address these challenges by leveraging Solana’s high TPS and fast finality to create a seamless crypto payment platform. The platform currently facilitates $30 million in monthly payments and has seen success in the Solana ecosystem, including high-profile integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce.
While progress may be gradual, Paumen believes that as more users become familiar with Web3 wallets and cryptocurrencies, the potential for challenging mainstream industry players is significant. He emphasized the need for improved onboarding experiences to make crypto payments accessible to a wider demographic.
Looking ahead, Paumen envisions a future where platforms like Apple Pay may settle payments on their own blockchain, but he remains committed to the idea of decentralized, fast, and low-fee transactions worldwide. He sees partnerships like Visa’s collaboration with Solana as a positive sign for the industry’s growth.
In addition to e-commerce platforms, Paumen sees potential for crypto payments in streaming platforms like Vimeo and OnlyFans. As the sector continues to evolve, the possibilities for widespread adoption and utility of crypto payments are endless.
