Gnosis, a sidechain to Ethereum, has unveiled two new product offerings aimed at enabling consumers with crypto wallets to make online purchases using stablecoins and Visa’s payment system. The company announced the launch of Gnosis Pay and Gnosis Card, which represent the first decentralized payment network integrating with a traditional payment processor and the first Visa-certified consumer debit card directly connected to an on-chain self-custodial wallet.
With Gnosis Card, users will have a Visa-powered debit card that is directly linked to their on-chain account, which is built on the Gnosis Pay decentralized payment network. The user’s wallet, specifically Safe Wallets in this case, will function like a bank account, and each Gnosis Card will be associated with the user’s Safe account.
The creation of Gnosis Card stemmed from a conversation between Gnosis founder, George, and an executive at payment processor SaltPay during a ski trip in the French Alps. George was explaining the workings of blockchain technology and how it could be integrated into daily life. This discussion led to the realization that collaborating to bridge the gap between traditional payment processors and blockchain technology could drive greater adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Gnosis to link traditional financial system and crypto
George emphasized the importance of building bridges between the traditional financial system and the world of cryptocurrencies to foster wider acceptance. Gnosis and SaltPay recognized that by combining their expertise, they could facilitate the seamless integration of crypto payments into existing payment infrastructure.
Although Gnosis spun out Safe as a separate business in July of the previous year, there are still strong ties between the two entities. This is evident in the use of Safe wallets in Gnosis’ latest products. George described the relationship between the platform and Safe as symbiotic, with Safe supporting Gnosis Pay through their development work on smart contracts, which is now being leveraged for every Gnosis Card shipment.
The introduction of Gnosis Pay and Gnosis Card represents a significant step forward in enabling crypto users to participate in everyday transactions seamlessly. By combining the convenience of a traditional Visa-powered debit card with the security and transparency of an on-chain self-custodial wallet, the platform aims to bridge the gap between the traditional financial system and the emerging world of cryptocurrencies. This move not only expands the utility of stablecoins but also provides a more accessible and familiar experience for consumers seeking to embrace the benefits of blockchain technology.
