The prospects of Crypto Assets as a mainstream payment method in e-commerce have long been highly anticipated. Theoretically, its advantages such as irreversible transactions, low fees, and instant cross-border payments seem to perfectly address the pain points of traditional payment systems. However, in reality, the adoption of Crypto Assets in the e-commerce sector has been sluggish. It is only in recent years, with the increase in market maturity and technological advances, that this situation has begun to shift. This article will delve into the adoption history of Crypto Assets in the e-commerce field, from the gap between early expectations and reality, to the critical role of network effects, and finally to the new possibilities brought by stablecoins, revealing the core logic and future direction behind it.
The gap between early expectations and reality: Why haven't theoretical advantages been translated into market acceptance?
Around 2014, with the first price bubble of Bitcoin at the end of 2013 (although smaller in scale by 2017 standards), Crypto Assets first entered the mainstream. At that time, the industry was generally optimistic.