Economics

DIGITAL MARKETING: 2025 Developments You Cannot Ignore. Pt.5

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The fifth instalment of a five part post on the key developments in digital marketing that businesses should be aware of in 2025.

Part 5. The Mass Adoption Of Cryptocurrency.

The one newer innovation that could leave your business out in the cold, even with every other element in great shape, is the emergence of cryptocurrency as a payment method. Particularly if your brand or business sells products predominantly to people aged under thirty – aka Generation Z who, are often crypto-cash rich from their early adoption and subsequent increase in value. In fact there is currently a Supercar sales boom to twenty year olds. Potentially, no crypto payment option, no sale.

As we navigate through 2025, cryptocurrency has evolved from a speculative investment to a legitimate payment method embraced by mainstream consumers and forward-thinking businesses. For online retailers, this shift represents more than just adding another payment button to the checkout page, it’s a fundamental transformation in how digital commerce operates. With major players like PayPal, Square, and Shopify facilitating cryptocurrency transactions, smaller retailers can no longer afford to ignore this growing trend. Gone are the days when accepting crypto was seen as a novelty; it’s now becoming a competitive necessity that opens doors to new customer segments, reduces transaction costs, and streamlines cross-border sales.

The impact of cryptocurrency adoption extends beyond mere payment processing. It’s reshaping customer expectations, transforming international commerce, and creating new opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive digital marketplace. In this post I’ll explain how cryptocurrency is changing the e-commerce landscape and provide a practical roadmap for retailers looking to embrace this digital revolution. Whether you’re a seasoned e-commerce veteran ‘OG’, ‘Whale’ or just starting your online retail journey, understanding and adapting to the crypto revolution could be the key to unlocking your business’s next phase of growth.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A brief outline the impact of cryptocurrency adoption on online retail and strategic considerations.

Current Impact on Online Retail:
– Expanded payment options attracting tech-savvy customers and early adopters
– Reduced transaction fees compared to traditional credit card processing
– Near instant settlement times for international transactions
– Elimination of chargebacks and fraud reduction (see Blockchain)
– Access to a growing demographic of crypto-wealthy consumers
– Potential for increased cross-border sales without currency exchange complications
– Marketing differentiation as an innovative, forward-thinking brand

Strategic Recommendations for Online Retailers:

1. Payment Integration
– Partner with established crypto payment processors (like BitPay, Coinbase Commerce)
– Start with accepting major and arguably less volatile cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum)
– Implement stable coins (USDC, USDT) to reduce volatility risk
– Ensure smooth integration with existing accounting systems
– Consider options for crypto-to-fiat conversion at point of sale

2. Risk Management
– Develop clear policies for handling price volatility
– Implement real-time price adjustment mechanisms
– Consider crypto-to-fiat conversion timing strategies
– Establish clear refund and return policies for crypto payments
– Maintain compliance with local regulatory requirements
– Regular security audits and protection measures

3. Customer Experience
– Provide clear instructions for crypto payments
– Offer customer support trained in handling crypto transactions
– Create educational content about using crypto for purchases
– Display prices in both traditional currency and cryptocurrency
– Implement QR code payments for easier transactions

4. Marketing Strategy
– Target crypto communities and forums
– Leverage crypto-focused influencers and media
– Highlight benefits of crypto payments in marketing materials
– Create exclusive offers for crypto users
– Build community through crypto-related content and education

The most basic policy to accept cryptocurrency in transactions is the foundation to more sales to this free market demographic.

If you are interested in any particular application or to discuss how these new innovations might specifically benefit your business please contact me.

 

TECH: How Jevons Paradox Is About To HIT HARD

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A fascinating thing that happens with technology. Back in Victorian Industrial Darkshire 1865, an economist called William Jevons noticed something interesting about coal use; When we made steam engines more efficient, instead of using less coal, we actually ended up using more of it! With obvious effects, people dropped dead from coal pollution.

Now, we’re seeing exactly the same thing happening with artificial intelligence (AI). At scale.

As we make these AI systems more efficient – and they’re becoming incredibly efficient – we’re not actually using less computing power. We’re using more.

Think about what’s happening here: Every time we make AI better at processing information, instead of scaling back, we just find more useful things to do with it. It’s a bit like giving someone a more efficient rocket – they don’t use less fuel, they just go further into space.

Consequently, it affects everything around it. When we make AI more efficient at handling tasks, companies don’t just maintain their current operations. No, they expand! They ‘Dream bigger!’ They tackle more complex problems and process more and more data faster and faster… another law Moores Law! A cascade of increasing complexity and capability.

You see, that’s what makes this paradox so incredible, it shows us that efficiency doesn’t lead to reduction. It leads to expansion. And in a way, isn’t that the story of life itself? As systems become more efficient, they don’t become simpler – they become more complex, more interesting, more wonderful.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I’ll tackle the dark side of the adverse effect of higher energy consumption from AI and Crypto products next time. It’s even more topical the week the US President cancelled low carbon projects, instructed oil companies to ‘Drill, drill, drill’, and cranked up AI investment while promoting environmentally destructive high energy use Cryptocurrency.

Jevons Paradox has not been so relevant since coal powered factories consumed the population of the North of England.

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Futurist, innovator and technology vulture. An avid reader and thinker, I love to join the dots. Always seeking the next big recombination idea!

COMMENTARY: Your Job Is Safe, For Now.

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Today’s announcement from the Prime Minister that the U.K. Government will be investing heavily in AI tools to improve the productivity, efficiency and better use of taxpayers money got me thinking about what will be the result of this. On the face of it this sounds like a really positive step, but the heavy use of AI tools by a government to improve efficiency and outcomes in its departments could have significant effects. The government has targeted growth as the driver of fixing the British economy which is currently running at in excess of 100% Debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which was just 70% in 2010. Here’s a pros and cons summary from the articles I’ve been reading today:

  1. Increased productivity and cost savings: AI could automate many tasks, potentially saving millions of labour hours and billions in annual costs. This could allow Civil Service and government workers to focus on more important tasks and provide services to the public faster.
  2. Improved public services: AI could enable personalised, predictive, and preventive services in areas like education, transport planning, and firefighting (topical with Los Angeles fires & Grenfell relevant), leading to better outcomes and higher productivity for citizens and private companies.
  3. Enhanced decision making: AI could improve governmental decision making and public service delivery by incorporating intelligent data analysis into organisational strategies.
  4. Economic benefits: Research suggests AI could boost productivity by up to 1.5 percentage points per year, potentially worth an average of £47 billion to the UK economy annually over a decade. The U.K. has poor productivity compared to other countries so these improvements are vital to our growth objectives and to significantly improve within the election cycle.
  5. Challenges in implementation and inertia: There’s a need to develop AI expertise among government workers and address potential negative mindset from users. Effective policies and regulatory frameworks are crucial to ensure responsible AI deployment and mitigate risks.
  6. Potential for job losses: While AI could create efficiencies, it may also lead to job losses in the civil service, requiring careful management and alternative career initiatives.
  7. Government responsibility: Secretaries of State are responsible for policy and outcomes good and bad. Decisions made by AI must be justified on a social and finance level.

My verdict.

Obviously in toto the idea is a no-brainer, but while AI presents significant opportunities for improving government efficiency and service delivery, it also introduces many complicated challenges that require careful consideration and management. The human face of the Civil Service is here for a while at least.
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Steve Coulter is a content creator and copywriter specialising in effective SME website content and conversion – with a lifetime interest in politics and economics.

BUSINESS: The Power Of Enterprise

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A few facts: There are 5.6 million small businesses in the UK.  Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) account for 99.9% of the business population. Total employment in SMEs is 16.7 million people (61% of the total). Annual turnover from SMEs is estimated at £2.4 trillion.

However, 90% of new businesses fail, often resulting in the founders losing all their life savings or redundancy money, losing your job being a great driver of start ups.

Small/medium businesses (SME) are the heart and soul of the British economy. Starting and growing a business takes guts, resilience, and ambition and it needs to be supported for the economy to thrive. Global corporations employ armies of accountants to minimise or eliminate their taxes and marketers to dominate the space. Small businesses don’t have the luxury or budget for that. Employing a specialist content creator who has a passion for organic growth saves money and enables the business owner to concentrate on what they are best at you can contact me here.

With this week’s government budget in mind, a vibrant, flourishing economy that’s supportive of everyday business will generate far more tax revenue than one that crushes the British entrepreneurial spirit. If that is possible even!

Contact me today to audit your marketing, website and social media then create an affordable Plan For Growth together to maximise your online presence.