CHARLOTTE, NC. — It seems innovation comes naturally to Nasiyr Bey. The owner of Aroma Cigar Lounge on Monroe Road is always looking for new ideas. So when he researched cryptocurrency, it was a no-brainer to incorporate the decentralized digital money based on blockchain technology into his business.
“It is the future; everything’s going digital, technology is changing. We’re in a new age,” says Bey.
Before the pandemic, he started accepting crypto payments for his cigars, lighters, wine, and other products. Using a point of sale system called Pundi X., It takes credit and debit cards and certain crypto coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Now, Bey says about 20% of his sales are from crypto.
“A lot of people were hesitant. They didn’t know what it was. They really was trying to understand it.”
Solomon RC Ali is a Charlotte resident, successful businessman, and customer of Bey’s. He says crypto ensures consumers more security than cash or cards would.
“He has a way to actually just build it out because he’s at the right place at the right time in history,” Ali says.