Give Crypto A Chance: Inside Paytaca’s Expanding Bitcoin Cash Adoption Map

Over 80 merchants in the Philippines, plus one in Hong Kong, now accept Bitcoin Cash ($BCH) payments via Paytaca’s point-of-sale (POS) app, bypassing custodial services and intermediaries, according to the online payment system’s CEO, Joemar Taganna, in an interview with BitPinas.

What’s the significance: The expansion highlights the growing adoption of $BCH as a true peer-to-peer electronic cash system, highlighting a trend toward decentralization and alternative payment methods in the region.

Driving the news: 

• The integration of Paytaca POS systems by Filipino merchants, particularly in Visayas, is facilitating the acceptance of Bitcoin Cash (BCH) for payments.
• Recently, Paytaca also released the latest iteration of the Paytaca Map, a directory and map of Paytaca merchants, vending, and cash-in machines

By the numbers: 

• 80 merchants in Visayas are accepting $BCH payments.
• 1 merchant partner in Hong Kong is accepting $BCH payments. 
• 5 in Tacloban City and 4 in Ormoc City are now selling their goods through the Paytaca Marketplace.
  • 20%+ savings are promised for customers.

How it works: 

Customers use the Paytaca wallet app to make BCH payments directly to merchants. The peer-to-peer nature of these transactions cuts out intermediaries, lowering costs and enabling significant savings.

In an interview with Paytaca CEO Joemar Taganna, he shared initiatives and updates on the adoption of Bitcoin Cash for merchant payments in the Philippines and Hong Kong. 

• Merchant Onboarding:
  • The team approached merchants with a value proposition emphasizing the growing market of crypto holders who want to spend directly without converting to pesos. 
  • Paytaca provided the necessary tools, including a Point of Sale (POS) app, without charging ‌merchants. 
  • They started with their network of friends and expanded through promotions and partnerships, including with government agencies.

• Education and Simplification:
  • To educate merchants and customers, they focused on simplifying the use of BCH and highlighting its benefits. 
  • They minimized technical jargon and emphasized how BCH could be cashed out at the price it was received, reducing risk for merchants.

• POS application:
  • The POS app is separate from the wallet, allowing merchants to securely receive payments without the app itself holding the funds. 
  • Taganna highlighted that each transaction generates a fresh address, adding a layer of security and privacy.

• Paytaca Map Feature:
  • The map allows users to locate merchants accepting BCH, with the added feature of showing the last transaction timestamp to ensure the merchant is still active. 
  • Taganna noted that this feature prevents users from going to inactive merchants.
  • Check out the firm’s video about the map here.

• Marketplace:
  • The marketplace platform was highlighted to demonstrate the cost savings of using BCH.
    • Taganna explained that by eliminating payment processing overhead, they can offer prices 20% lower than competitors. 

Key quote: 

“Give crypto a chance; try out (and) download Paytaca. For those who are into trading, try out Bitcoin Cash.  If you are the type of person who HODL, you can hold your Bitcoin Cash in the wallet and let it stay there. Let it gain value because there is an upcoming bull run, hopefully. So, if you accumulate a lot of Bitcoin cash and you see huge gains, the good news for you is that you can spend your gains directly on our merchant networks.”

Joemar Taganna, Chief Executive Officer, Paytaca

Paytaca Merchant Partners:

Tacloban City, Philippines

• Claude Facial Centre
• Rx Pro Physiotherapy Clinic
• Jaya Auto Glass & Aluminum Trading
• La Maison Punjab
• Pergola Restaurant
• E&R crafts
• Buutan Vegan Grocery & Café
• Value Peso Variety Shop
• Kuyathird SnackHouse
• Rolyns Pizza House
• Mr Grey Doughnuts Cafe
• Spring Red Floral Works
• 6EAT9
• Cafe Lucia
• Kinetix Fitness Gym
• D’Signature Spa
• Elederm
• The Corner
• Youthplus Medical Center
• Vanity Closet Apparel Trading
• Kamiseta ni Julio
• L. Yu Megabites Foodshoppe
• Be’She Aesthetic Clinic
• Marco Pollo Cafe
• Biz. Grafix Printing Services
• SL Minimart
• The Roastery by Matchstick & Co.
• Pixelenz Printing and Supplies Enterprise
• JaiRecords Studio
• Atlas Maritime Review Center
• Village Chefs by The Little Green Kitchen

Ormoc City, Philippines

• Melby’s Bistro
• Forever Cafe
• Chefsville Baking Supply
• Sugar Cafe Ormoc
• Tolit’s Foodstall
• Alto Peak Chocolates
• Lee Zi Fashion Armor
• P&J PIZZA
• Big Roy’s Cafe
• Tomas Car Accessories
• Ramenboi and Steakhouse
• Movihut Room Rental
• Corexcel Business Hub
• LDC VILLAR COMPUWARES
• LORRAINE TRAVEL AND TOURS
• Stylista Hanger
• Rhem’s Variety Store
• AC Cellshop
• Balane Optical Clinic
• Manny’s Pottery Shop
• Sugarland Suites
• JMC Power
• Magnolia Manukang Bayan
• Leyte Booksale by JACQS
• Cityshop Marketing
• Cool Twins Aircon Services
• Daniel’s Diet

Cebu City, Philippines

• Forever Young Spa
• HCS Puff Pastry and Sweet Goodies
• Joaquin Runway View Grill
• Denz Car Rental

Palo, Leyte, Philippines

• Cladge n Mitch Fashion Boutique
• St. Anne Pharmacy & Medical Clinic – Palo
• Konzept Prints

Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines

• THOMMY FOOD HUB
• Cafe D’ Roa
• WEAR YOUR STYLE

Dulag, Leyte, Philippines

• Camp Bryztoff
• Nyum a-go-go

Alangalang, Leyte, Philippines

• Sarah’s Pharma and Medical Supplies Trading

Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines

• Joaquin Runway View Grill

Minglanilla, Cebu, Philippines

• Denz Car Rental

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

• Cone S

Between the lines: 

This move highlights the potential of cryptocurrencies like BCH to challenge traditional payment systems by offering a more efficient and cost-effective alternative.

• However: While this is a promising development, the broader adoption of BCH and other cryptocurrencies still faces challenges, such as regulatory hurdles and the need for consumer education.

What’s next: 

The team plans to continue expanding across the Philippines and beyond, with the goal of making BCH a common payment method. 

• They aim to reduce costs associated with traditional payment methods, making BCH payments more efficient and affordable for both merchants and users.
• Taganna also looks forward to onboard more merchants beyond Visayas, particularly in NCR and Luzon.

Worth reading: Last year, Paytaca raised ₱24.5M in seed funding to promote Bitcoin Cash adoption and expand its peer-to-peer payment ecosystem in the Philippines.

• Check out more Paytaca updates here.

This article is published on BitPinas: Give Crypto A Chance: Inside Paytaca’s Expanding Bitcoin Cash Adoption Map

What else is happening in Crypto Philippines and beyond?