Kiev’s Bessarabsky Market Accepts Cryptocurrencies for Groceries

Bessarabsky market, a landmark of Ukraine’s capital, is introducing crypto payments. Fruits and vegetables are already sold for a number of cryptocurrencies including bitcoin cash (BCH). The initiative to offer the alternative payment option aims to show how simple it is to use cryptocurrency in everyday life.

Also read: New Bill Clarifies Crypto Taxation in Poland

BCH and BTC Accepted for Fruits and Vegetables

Kiev’s historic Bessarabsky market, an indoor marketplace located in the center of the capital city, is accepting cryptocurrencies, the public communal company that operates it announced on Facebook. Locals and visitors can now buy fresh produce with a variety of digital coins thanks to a partnership with crypto payments processor Paytomat.

Currently supported are payments in 14 cryptocurrencies including bitcoin cash (BCH), bitcoin core (BTC), bitcoin gold (BTG), litecoin (LTC), ethereum (ETH), nano, dash, waves, EOS, and NEM. During this initial, experimental stage customers can spend their crypto at a fruits and vegetables stand. A vegan street food cafe at the market also accepts crypto payments. Purchases are made through a QR code scan and sellers should receive the payments in fiat Ukrainian hryvnias after instant conversion.

The cryptocurrency payment option will offer buyers a new experience and attract crypto enthusiasts, according to Bessarabsky market’s managing director, Nikolay Kovalchuk, quoted by the Ukrainian outlet Bykvu. He also hopes for an increase in customer loyalty that will lead to sales growth. The market, which is one of Kiev’s landmark sites, is frequented by foreign tourists as well, and for many of them crypto payments are known and convenient.

‘Babushka’ Shows How Easy It Is to Spend Crypto

The project, which has been named “Babushka” (Granny), aims to demonstrate the simplicity of using cryptocurrency in everyday life. According to Alexander Kurin, operations director at Paytomat in Ukraine, the hardest part is to convince sellers they are going to get their hryvnias after the crypto payment is processed. He told Forklog:

The main idea is a symbiosis between traditions and innovations. We chose the Bessarabsky market because it is a well-known tourist destination, and cryptocurrencies are a universal means of payment in any country.

Paytomat has been working to introduce cryptocurrency payments in a number of cafes, restaurants, online stores, and even clinics, schools, and beauty salons, the Ukrainian outlet notes. Businesses and merchants using its services are spread across Europe, from Ukraine and Georgia in the East to the Netherlands and Spain in the West.

The platform offers several payment solutions including POS terminal, web panel, QR code and WordPress plugin. As news.Bitcoin.com reported earlier this year, the Paytomat supports 11 cryptocurrencies and works with more than 330 restaurants and stores.

What do you think about Bessarabsky market’s initiative to introduce crypto payments in Kiev? Tell us in the comments section below.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock, facebook.com/bessarabskiyrinok, Paytomat.

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