Tech
Last minute crypto gift ideas for tech natives and newcomers
Last updated: December 22, 2023 1:46 pm EST | 5 minute read
Cryptocurrency is a hot topic of conversation, especially during the holidays. This is becoming even more true Bitcoin gains ground. A recent one relationship from financial services firm Bitcoin Unchained found that one in four Americans already own Bitcoin. Further findings from Unchained show that 95% of 400 investors surveyed in the US would consider buying Bitcoin in 2024.
It’s the right season to give cryptocurrencies as gifts
That said, it should come as no surprise that cryptocurrency-related gifts can be popular during the holiday season.
For example, a Ledger spokesperson told Cryptonews that 6.5 million devices have been sold in total Ledger protects 20% of all cryptocurrencies in the world. “Ledger is the perfect gift for techies who have everything, providing self-custody and keeping digital assets safe at all times,” the spokesperson said.
In fact, hardware wallets like Ledger and other devices with cryptocurrency already stored inside them could be sought-after gifts. Recent results from research firm Mardor Intelligence show that demand for hardware wallets is increasing rapidly. The organization’s report notes that the size of the hardware wallet market is expected to grow from $36 billion this year to $1.43 billion by 2028.
Hot storage wallets – or software wallets – may also come with cryptocurrency included. Kadan Stadelmann, chief technology officer of Komodo Wallet – a non-custodial digital wallet – told Cryptonews that Komodo has made it convenient for both crypto natives and newcomers to get started with digital assets. According to Stadelmann, Komodo recently included fiat-on ramp integration for the wallet, allowing users to purchase cryptocurrency using traditional fiat currency. He said:
“Users can now make purchases through various methods such as bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Visa or Mastercard cards. This accessibility bridges the gap between the traditional financial world and the crypto ecosystem, making it easy for anyone to get started with cryptocurrencies.”
Likewise, Coinbase Wallet has introduced a new feature aimed at making it easier to send cryptocurrency. In particular, Coinbase Wallet now allows users to transfer specific cryptocurrencies via a link which can be sent via popular social media and messaging apps.
Chintan Turakhia, senior director of engineering at Coinbase Wallet, told Cryptonews that the holidays are the time of year when people frequently send money to friends and family. That said, Turakhia predicts that many people will choose to leverage this feature for its benefits. He said:
“This feature makes it easier, cheaper and faster to send money around the world. With this launch, users can now instantly send money across borders for free using the most commonly accessible identifier – a phone number or email address – instead of needing to know the recipient’s wallet address.”
Turakhia added this Coinbase Wallet has introduced an optional “simple mode”. on the platform that aims to simplify the experience for beginners by focusing only on buying and sending cryptocurrencies.
While gifting cryptocurrencies using hardware wallets and exchanges may be common, Alex Adelman, CEO and founder of Lolli – a Bitcoin rewards platform – told Cryptonews that earning Bitcoin rewards is gaining traction. “The ability to earn small amounts of Bitcoin or Satoshi often surprises people who may not have realized that you don’t have to buy an entire Bitcoin at a time,” he said.
According to Adelman, the holidays are the most popular time for Lolli as users look to save and earn money with holiday shopping. He added that more than 25,000 stores support Lolli’s mobile app, website and browser extension, including CVS, Ulta Beauty, Glossier and others. He said:
“We consistently have our best rates during the holiday season, with stores doubling and even tripling their rates to compete for shoppers. We witnessed a record-breaking Christmas season on Lolli with spending higher than the national average. Active buyers also increased by 35%. When the price of Bitcoin rises, as it did during the holiday season, we see even more new and existing shoppers using Lolli to add Bitcoin to their wallets with purchases.”
Adelman also shared that Lolli’s top users have amassed over 2 BTC, which currently equates to over $80,000.
NFTs, memecoins and digital wearables
Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, could also make a comeback this holiday season. While NFT trading volume is declining, it is noteworthy that the NFT division of cryptocurrency exchange OKX has surpassed the 24-hour trading volume of other well-known NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea, Blur, and Magic Eden. A new NFT collection featuring Donald Trump it is also likely to spark curiosity about NFTs.
Dirk Lueth, co-CEO and co-founder of Upland – a GameFi platform – told Cryptonews that Upland is holding a winter sale for users who want to purchase holiday-themed NFTs that can be leveraged in Upland. Lueth shared that the new NFTs consist of decorative ornaments, themed go karts, map assets, and block explorers. He said:
“Just as people love decorating their homes to show off the holiday spirit in real life, the same goes for their digital experience. Players love decorating their metaverse structures during the holiday season.
Beyond NFTs, the memecoin frenzy appears to continue, as experienced traders have recently reported large profits. For example, between December 13th and 15th The cryptocurrency trader purchased over 19 million Dogwifhat (WIF) tokens. – a dog-themed memecoin – at an average price of $0.01137. Second CoinMarketCapthe total value of the tokens is around $2.18 million, earning the trader over $1 million in profits in just a few days.
Alfred Moesker, host of “Los Cardano Podcast” and owner of the Cardano-themed Hotel Ginebra Barcelona, told Cryptonews that memecoins are often inexpensive to purchase, but have the potential to increase their value quite a bit. He said:
“At the same time, it is very fun to admire the cartoon drawings on memecoins in your crypto wallet. For non-crypto users, memecoins are a great low-threshold first introduction to the wonderful world of blockchain.”
Wearable devices that leverage blockchain technology will also likely be at the top of holiday gift lists. For example, “Frillz” is a connected jewelry collection that allows owners to wear their unique pieces in both the physical and virtual worlds. The limited edition collection of bracelets and necklaces was created by Cathy Hackl – founder and chief metaverse officer of Journey – and Simone Faurschou – European jewelry designer.
Hackl told Cryptonews that the entire Frillz collection is NFC-enabled, serving as a passport to the VerseLuxe universe – a metaverse ecosystem – that he is currently creating. She said:
“This collection helps blend the physical nature of jewelry while also making it a tangible virtual asset. I hear from many women in the industry that they want something beautiful and elegant that is part of Web3, so Frillz is a great gift for anyone working on Web3 and beyond.”