By: Will Jones
Over the last several years, cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche online interest into an incredibly popular currency. At the start of 2020, the average consumer had no idea what cryptocurrency was. Now, in 2025, not only does the average consumer know exactly what cryptocurrency is, but they’ve more than likely encountered it within public spaces.
To this end, many businesses are beginning to incorporate cryptocurrency into their payment structures, allowing guests and customers to pay using digitized currency. For example, even local businesses in Santa Clarita are cautiously embracing cryptocurrency.
For those looking to understand the basics, this cryptocurrency guide for beginners is a solid starting point. This signals a shift toward digital transactions even in more traditionally conservative markets.
Payment Shifts
A shift to cryptocurrency as a viable payment method in physical establishments may seem significant, but the infrastructure for such a change is already in place. The much larger transition in payment methods was from traditional tactile means to digital card readers.
For decades, anyone paying with a credit card at a business understood that this meant the establishment would use a credit card imprinter to capture the card’s information on a single document alongside the charges. This receipt would then charge the card later rather than immediately.
For decades, the established payment flow remained unchanged until the advent of digital card readers. These devices could instantly scan and charge a card for the corresponding bill on the spot, alleviating some of the workload for business employees. While these machines significantly enhanced ease, speed, and efficiency for everyone involved, their implementation caused a culture shock and some initial resistance.
Several years later, these machines have become commonplace and are found everywhere. Integrating cryptocurrency as a viable payment option is relatively straightforward from a practical perspective.
Even in the past few years, digital card readers have rapidly evolved, now incorporating mobile ‘tap’ features that allow customers to pay using only their mobile devices. As such, most businesses already have the technological means to embrace crypto as payment.
The Origins of Crypto
When introduced to the public in 2008 through a nine-page whitepaper titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, cryptocurrency appeared more like science fiction than reality. To highlight just how far-fetched cryptocurrency seemed back then, one only needs to remember that MySpace was the leading social media platform, online shopping faced significant stigma, and mobile phones were mainly used for calls and texting.
However, over the following decade, societal and cultural shifts brought us closer to the vision of anonymity and innovation outlined by Bitcoin’s elusive founders in that initial document.
In 2020, amid widespread unrest and the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of cryptocurrency surged. Despite skepticism from many doubters about its legitimacy and future, the digital currency has ultimately demonstrated its resilience and relevance. Today, what was once dismissed as a fringe financial innovation has become a vital component of the global commerce framework.
Practical Motivations for Crypto
Numerous Santa Clarita businesses have begun accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies as viable forms of payment. This trend stems not only from the remarkable popularity of cryptocurrencies but also from several practical motivators. Cryptocurrency offers businesses lower transaction fees than traditional payment methods, meaning businesses have a concrete financial incentive to embrace this currency.
Additionally, crypto has proven its resilience in the marketplace and continues to be a hot topic of conversation. These two factors have encouraged many businesses to start adoption processes, as the risks now seem much more mitigated, and embracing crypto can serve as advertising for a business in and of itself.
The Future of Cryptocurrency in Santa Clarita and Beyond
While challenges remain, including volatility, security concerns, and tax implications, cryptocurrency has become an increasingly popular and reliable payment method.
Many fintech analysts predict that cryptocurrency’s presence in the economic sphere will continue to expand in the coming years. Consequently, it’s smart for Santa Clarita businesses to get in early and start reaping the potential benefits of adopting cryptocurrency.
DISCLAIMER: No part of the following article was written by The Signal editorial staff.