Crypto payments network celebrates two big adoption milestones

A crypto payments network has unveiled a range of new use cases for its flagship token — expanding its global footprint even further.

Electroneum customers can now purchase top-ups for mobile data and airtime in more than 160 countries worldwide. Among the latest nations where the service has gone live include Australia, Cuba, Japan, Namibia, Lebanon and Belgium, underlining the company’s ambition to achieve an international presence.

Meanwhile, Guinea Bissau has become the fifth African country where electricity top-ups can be bought from within the Electroneum app. A partnership has also been struck up with a new third-party supplier, unlocking more competitive pricing for users.

Richard Ells, the CEO of the U.K.-based cryptocurrency project, added: “Our commitment to expand mobile phone and electricity top-ups to every country possible is one of our top priorities as we continue to make ETN the most accessible crypto in the space."

According to Electroneum, its goal has been to ensure that its cryptocurrency, ETN, is one of the most accessible in the industry. Crucially, phone and electricity top-ups can also be accessed remotely — meaning an Electroneum user in Europe can buy utilities for a loved one halfway around the world. This could prove much cheaper than sending money to family and friends through remittance services, which often command high fees.

An adoption milestone in South Korea

Meanwhile, ETN has also been listed by the MeconCash wallet, which enables consumers to hold and spend a multitude of cryptocurrencies.

According to Electroneum, this integration will prove especially significant in South Korea, where the fintech firm has established a network of more than 13,600 ATMs.

MeconCash allows thousands of products to be purchased online by users in this thriving Asian market — including everything from food and flower deliveries to bikes and baby items. ETN is only the 11th digital asset to be added by the blockchain startup, with others including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Tron and Tether.

Executives at Electroneum say MeconCash was especially excited to support ETN because of how freelancers can be paid in this cryptocurrency through AnyTask, a global platform that aims to allow talented individuals to find work on fairer terms.

“Our users can earn ETN on AnyTask, our global freelance platform. They can also earn ETN by accepting it as payment for products and services. And now, in South Korea, they can all use ETN for purchases with MeconCash Wallet,” Ells explained.

These international connections could also prove useful when the coronavirus pandemic is over and global travel resumes — enabling crypto enthusiasts to sidestep the fees associated with exchanging between fiat currencies.

A growing community

In a recent Q&A with Cointelegraph, Richard Ells revealed that Electroneum experienced a substantial uptick in users across Brazil, Turkey, Nigeria and India — with the number of people who use AnyTask doubling between May and September.

The CEO believes that coronavirus has sped up crypto adoption, given how these new sign-ups coincided with the height of the pandemic.

He added: “Crypto is perfect for achieving financial inclusion. Electroneum is a good example — we have created a mobile cryptocurrency that does not require users to have a bank account, and our ecosystem is undergoing continuous expansion.”

Electroneum turned three years old in November, and has no plans to sit still as it rolls out additional ways that ETN can be used. A recent partnership means avid gamers can rent server space for top titles including Minecraft and Counter Strike: Go. The digital asset has also been embraced by LockTrip, a site that offers discounts on flights and hotels.