*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).
Apple said Tuesday it is expanding the iPhone's capabilities to accept contactless payments, making it easier for merchants to conduct tap-to-pay transactions without having to buy additional hardware.
The Justice Department has announced its largest-ever financial seizure — more than $3.5 billion — and the arrests of a New York couple accused of conspiring to launder billions of dollars in cryptocurrency.
The IRS said Monday it will suspend the use of facial recognition technology to authenticate people who create online accounts after the practice was criticized by privacy advocates and lawmakers.
As we celebrate Black History Month, Cheddar is highlighting prominent Black Americans who are carving their own historic paths and trailblazing in their industries. Today we feature Greg Robinson, director of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope program.
The last trading day of January ended one of the most rocky months for the markets in nearly two years. Dan Russo, Portfolio Manager and Director of Research, at Potomac Fund Management explains what happened in January, and what to expect for February.
