The last twelve months have seen companies facing a complex range of challenges, with almost every industry affected by the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and many having to adapt quickly in order to survive the current economic climate.
But the world of cryptocurrency, it seems, has weathered the storm far more successfully than most, with the current value of just one Bitcoin standing at £50,000, and climbing by the day. Making savvy investments has never been more important, for both individuals and businesses alike, and as they look for ways in which to grow their fortunes for the future, more and more are seeing the value of investing in crypto.
But it’s not just about investing in this fast-moving digital currency that makes business sense, and with a growing number of crypto millionaires out there looking for new ways to spend their fortunes, more and more companies are looking to make crypto a means of payment for their customers.
Italian high-performance car company Mazzanti Automobili is one of the companies that is now riding the crypto wave, and is now inviting its customers to make purchases using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a range of other digital currencies.
Founded in 2002 by Luca Mazzanti, this cutting-edge car manufacturer managed to overcome all of the obstacles it faced, along with the rest of the world, in 2020 – closing the year successfully thanks to three crowdfunding campaigns launched on European platforms in Italy, Sweden and the UK.
This year, the company has taken the leap into the world of cryptocurrencies – and customers can now purchase the iconic Evantra models of its cars using crypto.
Today, an Evantra 771 is worth 49 Bitcoins, and via online platform STOKR – the EU’s pioneering digital marketplace for alternative assets – prospective buyers can acquire ‘Mazzanti tokens’, with payments made in Euros, Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. This bold new move has opened the company up to a whole new market of young and wealthy crypto investors, many of whom became overnight millionaires during the initial rise of Bitcoin back in 2009, and are looking for new ways to spend their wealth.
STOKR liberates the access to high-profile investment opportunities from the inner circle of traditional venture capital, and through EU-compliant security token offerings (STOs), empowers professional and retail investors alike to directly engage with young and growing ventures. The goal is to offer a simplified and risk-reduced environment, without the need for middlemen such as custodians or brokers.
Mazzanti Automobili’s campaign will run for two months, and aims to raise funds for the construction of a special edition of the Evantra Millecavalli R (racing). The novelty is that, for the first time, Mazzanti Automobili will share with its community up to 50 per cent of the revenues deriving from the sale of this model to a collector.
Founder Mazzanti says: “I am proud to take a further step towards the growth of Mazzanti Automobili and to be able to directly involve many passionate admirers in the production of our hypercars. In the continuous search for innovation, we immediately recognised the potential of security tokens in achieving our goals of inclusion and expansion. It is an example of 21st Century innovation, and Mazzanti Automobili is proud to be leading the way.”
The company’s move towards cryptocurrencies is just the latest in a trend within the luxury industry towards offering crypto-transactions to customers, with a number of big-name brands already riding the wave.
From luxury concierge services to designer watch brands, it seems that many are cottoning onto this ever-flourishing opportunity, making shopping easier than their high-net-worth customers and reaping the benefits themselves, too.
Blockchain, the technology behind Bitcoin, is becoming increasingly popular across the industry too, and is now used to authenticate valuable items such as cars, watches and works of art. Offering increased customer security and peace of mind, it is paving the way for a new era when it comes to how we shop – and this still relatively niche technology should not be underestimated.
There is little doubt that cryptocurrencies will continue their meteoric rise to popularity, with some believing that one day, they could eventually go mainstream. Over the next year, we can expect to see continued innovations within the field, with the luxury industry leading the way – and early adopters can be certain to see great success over the coming twelve months and beyond.
