The "Internet of Money" and Future of Crypto Commerce
Litecoin, the 5th largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is on a tear, rallying over 50% during the past week. Kenneth Asare, CEO of LitePay, a Litecoin payment processor, was with us to explain why merchants need to be ready for the digital currency revolution.
On February 26th, 41 countries will have access to LitePay merchant payment processing. Retailers will be able to use LitePay's retail, e-commerce, billing, and donation tools to accept Litecoin payments from customers anywhere on earth. Asare said the platform is targeting people with access to smartphones, but not banking.
Asare said Litecoin is the 'internet of money.' He stressed that it's not a way to replace fiat currency or the stock exchange, and it's not something to invest in. Instead, this is the very beginning of a new way of sharing and transferring value, he said.
Chipotle is investing $50 million into a venture capital fund to aid tech startups that focus on operations. Chief Technology Officer Curt Garner joined Cheddar News to talk about how the fast-casual chain is innovating its brand strategy with the fund. "We look for technologies that elevate the human experience, and that human experience can occur with our customers as they come into our restaurants and very importantly our employees as well," he said.
The telecom giant AT&T is looking to make online learning more fun for students by engaging them with content from its partners at Warner Bros. Discovery. Mylayna Albright, the assistant vice president of corporate social responsibility for AT&T, joined Cheddar to discuss how the company came about with the free digital e-learning program that it's calling The Achievery. "We knew that once students went home as a result of the pandemic, it was very difficult for them, and we knew from research, specifically through Morning Consult, that parents and teachers realized that probably 80 percent of students felt that they would be more engaged if they had a more entertaining approach," she said.
Sourceful is an all-in-one platform for sourcing sustainable materials. The startup recently raised $20 million in a Series A round led by Index Ventures. Through its platform, Sourceful helps businesses find and design more eco-friendly packaging and reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chains. Wing Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of Sourceful, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Britt Reichborn-Kjennerud, Section Manager for E-Mobility & Demonstrations for Electric Vehicles, Con Edison and
Joe Morreale, Section Manager of EV Demo Projects and Managed Charging & E-Mobility & Demonstrations, Con Edison, join Cheddar News' Ken Buffa from the New York Auto Show to discuss Con Edison's Clean Energy Commitment and the goal to power New York with 100% clean energy through initiatives like the 'SmartCharge' and 'PowerReady' Programs.
Arthur Madrid, CEO of The Sandbox, and Steven Kolb, CEO of CFDA, join Cheddar News to discuss their partnership focused around fashion in the metaverse.
Nike introduced the Vaporfly in the 2016 Olympics to Nike-sponsored athletes, three of whom took the top spots in marathon events. Since then, the shoe has been the weapon of choice of elite athletes like those competing in the 2022 Boston Marathon. Why? Because Nike designed the shoe to literally make you faster. To not wear the Vaporfly has become a disadvantage. So how exactly does this shoe increase speeds and should it even be allowed in competition?
William Antonelli, tech reporter at Insider, joins Cheddar News to discuss Apple store employees' union efforts at the Grand Central location in New York City.
Will Marshall, CEO, Planet, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss Planet's influence and innovation from agriculture to sustainability using geospatial insights from their constellation of over 200 satellites.