Buy a can of coke with bitcoins in Australia and New Zealand

Vending machines with QR code scanners will now accept digital currency payments — all consumers need to do is scan it with their phone cameras

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA), one of the largest bottlers of non-alcoholic beverages in the Asia Pacific region, now allows consumers across Australia and New Zealand to pay for their items using cryptocurrencies. This follows a new agreement signed between the beverage giant and Centrapay, a digital asset platform.

With the Sylo Smart Wallet app, consumers can now go to any of Amatil’s 2,000 vending machines and scan the QR code payment sticker. This will prompt the machine to accept payments made in cryptocurrencies or other digital assets.

CCA explained that it had developed the infrastructure to accept mobile wallets several years ago. The original application of QR codes was for Alipay and WeChat Pay customers.

We want to ensure customers can transact with us in their preferred currency, so accepting digital assets is the next step for us as digital assets become more popular,” a CCA spokesman revealed.

This new payment option is viewed as an advantage by many since it helps reduce people’s need to touch the vending machine. It addresses hygiene concerns that were presented during the COVID-19 pandemic, with consumers only needing to touch the machine once to process their purchase.

Jerome Faury, CEO of Centrapay, explained that they are looking at ways to ensure consumers have more control over their own data and identity.

“At Centrapay, we’re working to create a future where individuals are in control of their own data and digital identity. Brands can connect directly and ethically with people, empowering them to make the right purchasing decision, whilst also supporting their retail and other distribution partners,” Faury said.

Faury attributes persistent barriers to the slow adoption of Web 3 technology, from digital identity and assets, to integration complexity and poor user experiences. He believes that the company has solved both of these issues.

“Centrapay is pioneering the way to enable this new internet of value and bring its benefits to both consumers and merchants. And it comes with the added benefit of reducing physical contact and addressing the hygiene concerns we’ve all become acutely aware of due to COVID-19,” he explained.

While this new technology is currently available within Australia and New Zealand, Centrapay is looking to expand the business globally by targeting the US market next.

“Now we’ve shown how it can work in Australia and New Zealand, we’re looking to grow the business globally. We’ve established a presence in North America and will be targeting the US market next with some world-first innovations,” Faury shared.