Business

Why businesses need to be offering cryptocurrency payments

Published

5 years ago

January 28, 2021

In recent years, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have emerged from the underground and have found their place in the mainstream worlds of finance, eCommerce, and business. But as a business owner, should you consider offering cryptocurrency payments? There are plenty of big names that already do and many benefits for you.

Big companies that use cryptocurrency

The widespread adoption of cryptocurrency has been driven in part by major retailers and service providers opting to offer cryptocurrency payment methods. Some of the world’s biggest companies offer payments in bitcoin, ether, and some other currencies.

For example, Microsoft, Overstock, Twitch, and AT&T all accept crypto payments. You can even pay for your Starbucks, Burger King, or KFC with Bitcoin if you so wish. For the adventurous amongst us, space travel via Virgin Galactic can be paid for with crypto, or you could just fly to Norway with Norwegian Airlines. Asides from the big names, it’s estimated that 36% of SMEs in the US, accept Bitcoin with some accepting other virtual currencies as well.

Why business should use cryptocurrency

There are several reasons why cryptocurrency payments are beneficial for businesses. Some of them will depend on the nature of the particular industry, but others are more general. Firstly, cryptocurrency is huge, and offering this service gives you a competitive edge over other businesses, as well as plenty of cool points. Furthermore, there are some 1.7 billion people across the world that do not have access to a bank account, let alone a card for online shopping. Providing crypto payments allows unbanked individuals to pay for goods and services online.

There is a global shift away from a cash-based economy and to a digital- economy. People are preferring to use electronic payments and, increasingly, digital currencies to transact online. Cryptocurrency payments, for example, are more secure than regular payments as they do not use personal details, and once the transaction is made on the blockchain, it is immutable. This means it cannot be changed, reversed, or tampered with in any way.

How to use crypto for business safely

The key to effective cryptocurrency payment integration is risk analysis and taking steps to protect yourself and your clients. One of the first things you should do is consider taking out insurance such as professional liability insurance. This will provide financial support for you in the case where you may have to defend yourself against a negligence claim made by a customer. This kind of insurance can be required by law in some jurisdictions or areas, but even if it’s not, it’s still worth getting as you never know what could happen.

Other ways to use crypto safely include onboarding a crypto payment processor. This will securely take care of all payments to and from your company and it will ‘lock-in’ rates at the value they were when the transaction was made. This will ensure you are protected should the value of the coin drop after the purchase has been made.

Integrating cryptocurrency payments into your business is something you will have to consider sooner rather than later. Why not take the plunge now and join the ranks of some of the most forward-thinking companies in the world.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

6 days ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.