Beginning in January 2019, it will be possible to buy crypto-currency tickets in French tobacco shops. These tickets will then be converted using an electronic wallet. A way to offer a new product to a community that gambles as much a lottery addicts.
A pack of cigarettes, a lottery ticket, today’s newspaper, and some Bitcoin! It sounds almost as silly as going to the butchers for a loan. But it will soon be possible to buy crypto-currencies at the local tobacco store.
A partnership between the tobacco stores and French Fintech Keplerk
A new French company, Keplerk, got this brilliant idea. It managed to convince tobacco store owners to add a string to their bow – yet another one. Starting next January, tobacco stores will sell crypto-coupons. Those coupons will then be transferred into crypto-currency thanks to a wallet provided by Keplerk. The company will get a 7% commission. It’s easy to guess who will be the winner in this operation.
Because investing in crypto-currencies nowadays requires as much faith as buying lottery tickets every week. It is difficult, almost impossible, to tell how Bitcoin will develop in years to come. Some predict a sharp climb while others foresee a bottomless fall. Reconsideration of global finance or bust.
The Banque Centrale reminds it’s « purely speculative assets, not an actual currency »
One year ago, one Bitcoin was worth $20,000. Today, it is below $4,500. The Banque Centrale is aware of these shortcomings and warns users against Keplerk’s initiative.
« These are purely speculative assets and not a currency. Those investing in Bitcoin or similar assets do so at their own risk. » The Banque added that they weren’t supervising in any way the « Bitcoin + smokes » initiative.
Yet again, are Bitcoin investments any different from buying a lottery ticket every week?