*By Michael Teich*
Want to use crypto to buy deodorant online, don't sweat it.
Schmidt's Naturals is giving consumers the option to use Bitcoin for online purchases on its [website](https://schmidtsnaturals.com/).
Schmidt's is the only Unilever brand to accept cryptocurrency as a method of payment. Unilever said it acquired the deodorant brand in 2017 to extend its reach to "new customers who prefer natural options."
A stick of Schmidts Naturals in scents like bergamot and lime, cedar wood and juniper, and lavender and sage cost about $9, or 0.0011 Bitcoin.
Michael Cammarata, a co-founder and the chief executive of Schmidt's Naturals, told Cheddar that consumers who are interested in natural products are some of the same people who are into Bitcoin.
Cammarata said his company listens to customers' demands, “whether it’s a scent or a payment method."
The new Bitcoin payment option has shown promise, Cammarata said. Between 5 and 10 percent of direct sales on Schmidt's online platform were made in Bitcoin since it began accepting the cryptocurrency on May 14.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/consumers-can-use-bitcoin-to-pay-for-this-deodorant).
Cann, a cannabis-infused beverage company, announced today a $27 million Series A funding round from existing investors like Imaginary Ventures and a roster of new celebrity investors including Nina Dobrev, Adam Devine, Zoey Deutch, Jordan Cooper, Sara Foster, and Rosario Dawson. Cann is also announcing its first international expansion with the brand's launch in Canada. Jake Bullock, co-founder and CEO of Cann, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Soul Machines is a company that creates autonomously animated digital people in the metaverse and the digital worlds of today. The startup based in New Zealand recently raised the equivalent of $70 million USD, in a funding round led by Softbank's Vision Fund 2. Soul Machines says it helps to bring digital workforces to life for some of the biggest brands in the world, and creates digital twins of celebrities to reimagine the future of digital entertainment. Greg Cross, co-founder and CBO of Soul Machines, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
By 2050, nuclear power share of total energy consumption will dip to just 3.7% down from the already measly 4.5% it is today, according to the U. S. Energy Information Administration. However, a group of world powers including the U.S. and Japan is looking to reverse the trend. John Kotek, SVP of Policy Development and Public Affairs at the Nuclear Energy Institute, joined Cheddar News to discuss.
A new startup says they are about to take A.I.-generated voices up a notch by giving the tool the ability to feel much more real. Zeena Qureshi, CEO of Sonantic, joined Cheddar News to discuss further.
The end of 3G is upon us. On Tuesday, AT&T became the first major provider to disable its 3G services, and T-Mobile and Verizon plan to follow suit later this year. The shutdowns are expected to impact millions of vehicles that use 3G networks for updates, remote connection, and certain emergency and convenience features. Lance Ulanoff, the U.S. Editor-in-Chief of TechRadar, joined Cheddar's Closing Bell to discuss the ramifications of the changeover.
February is usually a key time of year for the toy industry, with thousands of toys making their debut at the New York Toy Fair. Although this year's event was canceled due to the ongoing pandemic, toy makers are still pumped up to unveil their newest gizmos and gadgets. Maddie Michalik, senior editor of The Toy Insider, joins Cheddar News to break down all things toy related.
Smart data capture company Scandit recently announced a $150 million Series D funding round led by Warburg Pincus, propelling the company to unicorn status with a valuation of more than $1 billion. Scandit develops augmented reality and mobile computer vision technologies that tap into the cameras on smart devices. The startup's platform can be used to interact with retail items and have a more personalized experience while shopping. Scandit says its technology is also being used by industries like transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing. Samuel Mueller, co-founder and CEO of Scandit, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
A new report shows nearly 240 former officials in Congress, the White House, and regulatory agencies have changed careers to work in the crypto industry.
February 20 marks what would have been Kurt Cobain’s 55th birthday, and NFT gateway Pop Legendz will be offering up a collection of rare images from a 1991 Nirvana show in Philadelphia that took places days before their monster hit album "Nevermind" was to be released. Faith West, the founder of Pop Legendz, music journalist, and the photographer who captured it on film joined Cheddar News to talk about the historic event and the NFT sales where half the proceeds will go to charities like the Trevor Project and GRID Alternatives. “I showed up at a small club, 150 people, not quite know what to expect, brought my camera, and halfway through the show I knew music history was being made," West said of the iconic evening.
