easyGroup, known for its budget airlines and hotels, has officially launched a new mobile platform, easyBitcoin.app, in partnership with Uphold, aimed at simplifying the process of buying and holding Bitcoin for retail users. This announcement comes at a time when Bitcoin prices are nearing record highs, trading around $112,650.
The launch aligns with increasing public interest in cryptocurrency, as recent surveys indicate a growing confidence in Bitcoin as a worthwhile investment. According to a study commissioned by Uphold, an overwhelming 88% of U.S. respondents believe Bitcoin will enhance their wealth over the next decade. Among these investors, 39% identified it as one of their top three investment choices, ranking it just behind real estate and ahead of gold. Despite this optimism, nearly half of the participants reported finding cryptocurrency trading overly complicated.
easyBitcoin aims to address these challenges by reducing barriers to entry in the crypto market. The platform offers several incentives for users, including a 1% welcome bonus on recurring purchases, a 2% annual reward for long-term holders, and an APY of 4.5% on USD balances, all paid out in Bitcoin and supported by $2.5 million in FDIC insurance.
Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyGroup, emphasized the need to democratize Bitcoin investing, stating, “Investing in bitcoin has felt like an exclusive club, out of reach for the general public with very high transaction costs. With easyBitcoin, we want to change that.”
The survey conducted by Uphold involved 1,001 U.S. respondents aged 25 to 50, all of whom held at least a university degree and earned a minimum of $80,000 annually, and was carried out between June and July of this year. Furthermore, a U.K. version of the app is anticipated to be launched later this year, signaling easyGroup’s commitment to expanding its offerings in the cryptocurrency space.
