Forem: Alice Nkosi

Digital Products Are Not Platform Playthings

Alice Nkosi — Thu, 21 May 2026 02:12:29 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

By selling digital downloads directly, we were bypassing the traditional e-commerce model. We wanted to give users the freedom to purchase our software without being tied to a specific platform or region. But our approach was also seen as a threat by the payment processors, who depend on transaction fees to stay profitable.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

Our first attempt was to work with the payment processors to resolve the issues they had with our business. We provided additional documentation, set up support channels, and even offered refunds to users. But the payment processors continued to block our transactions, claiming we still weren't meeting their requirements.

It became clear that we couldn't rely on the payment processors to allow us to operate. We needed a more robust solution that would give us control over our business and our customers.

The Architecture Decision

After months of research and experimentation, we decided to implement a custom payment gateway using Stripe Connect. This would allow us to process transactions directly, without relying on the traditional payment processors. We also set up a regional distribution network to serve users in different parts of the world, ensuring that we could deliver our software without any geographical restrictions.

Implementing a custom payment gateway was a significant architectural change for our system. It required us to develop a new infrastructure for handling transactions, security, and compliance with payment regulations. But it also gave us the flexibility to operate independently and control our own destiny.

What The Numbers Said After

The move to a custom payment gateway and regional distribution network paid off in a big way. We increased our revenue by 40% and reduced our transaction fees by 70%. More importantly, we gained complete control over our business and our customers, without being beholden to the whims of payment processors or platform stores.

What I Would Do Differently

Looking back, we probably should have anticipated the payment processors' backlash and built a more robust solution from the start. But we also learned a valuable lesson about the importance of operating independently and controlling our own destiny.

If I were to do it again, I'd focus on building a more robust payment infrastructure that can adapt to changing regulations and payment processor policies. I'd also invest more in regional distribution networks and customer support, to ensure that we can serve users worldwide with minimal restrictions.

The Tyranny of Conventional Commerce Platforms

Alice Nkosi — Thu, 21 May 2026 01:49:28 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

We needed to provide a seamless payment experience to our users while navigating the complex regulatory landscape surrounding digital commerce. However, our reliance on conventional platforms like Gumroad and Payhip limited our ability to support users in certain countries. This was not a problem to be solved through technical wizardry, but rather a symptom of our system's architecture.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

Initially, we attempted to bypass this issue by using alternative payment gateways, such as Stripe's Checkout or PayPal's Express Checkout. However, these solutions still relied on the underlying payment systems, which were not available to a significant portion of our user base. Moreover, each of these alternatives introduced new security and administrative complexities that we were not equipped to handle. As a result, our workarounds only added technical debt without addressing the root issue.

The Architecture Decision

After reevaluating our requirements, we decided to abandon traditional commerce platforms altogether. Instead, we chose to integrate our payment processing with the StripeElements library, allowing us to create a custom payment form that directly interacted with Stripe's API. This decision provided us with full control over the payment flow, enabling us to implement alternative payment methods and adapt to emerging regulations. By breaking free from the constraints of conventional platforms, we were able to unshackle our users and offer a more inclusive experience.

What The Numbers Said After

By adopting this new architecture, we observed a significant reduction in support requests related to payment issues. Our user base expanded to countries where traditional payment gateways were not available, leading to a 35% increase in new contributors. Moreover, we were able to implement a more robust payment security module, reducing chargeback rates by 25%. Although our system complexity increased, the benefits far outweighed the additional maintenance burden.

What I Would Do Differently

In hindsight, I would have taken a more incremental approach to implementing our custom payment solution. We began by exploring alternative payment methods and testing them with a small subset of users, ensuring that we had a robust feedback loop in place before rolling out the new architecture to our entire user base. Additionally, we could have engaged with the StripeElements community earlier, leveraging their existing knowledge base to accelerate our integration efforts. These adjustments would have minimized the disruption caused by our transition and allowed us to refine our solution more iteratively.

Building a Digital Product Platform for the African Creator Economy: A Story of Defying Platform Restrictions

Alice Nkosi — Thu, 21 May 2026 01:24:53 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

Our digital product platform, which allowed African creators to sell their digital products and services, was built on top of a standard tech stack. We used Stripe for payments, Gumroad for digital downloads, and PayPal for funding conversions. However, when we tried to deploy the platform in several African countries, we encountered a common problem - many of the payment gateways we were using did not support these countries. So, we were actually solving a platform problem, not a technical problem.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

Initially, we tried to work around the problem by using alternative payment methods such as mobile payments and bank transfers. However, these methods often had high transaction fees, which eroded our profit margins. We also attempted to use VPNs to bypass geolocation restrictions, but this solution was unreliable and often resulted in account suspensions. Our creators were frustrated with the payment issues, and our business was losing money.

The Architecture Decision

One day, I realized that the problem was not just about finding an alternative payment method, but also about building a platform that was more tolerant of platform restrictions. We decided to use a combination of local payment gateways, such as M-Pesa in Kenya and MTN Mobile Money in Ghana, to enable payments in those countries. We also implemented a custom-designed payment system that allowed creators to receive payments via bank transfers, which had lower fees. Additionally, we partnered with local banks to offer funded conversion options for creators. This architecture decision required significant changes to our platform's infrastructure, but it finally gave us the flexibility we needed to operate in restricted countries.

What The Numbers Said After

After implementing the new payment system, our creator satisfaction ratings improved by 30%, and our profit margins increased by 20%. We also saw a 15% increase in new creators joining our platform. The numbers were encouraging, but more importantly, our creators were happy and our business was thriving.

What I Would Do Differently

Looking back, there are a few things I would do differently. First, I would have invested more time in researching the local payment landscape before building the platform. This would have saved us a lot of headache and money in the long run. Second, I would have prioritized building a more robust payment system from the start, rather than trying to work around the problem. Finally, I would have involved more creators in the decision-making process to ensure that their needs were met.

My experience building a digital product platform for the African creator economy taught me that sometimes, the most important solution is not the technical one, but the architectural one. By recognizing the platform problem and building a more flexible platform, we were able to defy platform restrictions and create a thriving ecosystem for creators.

The Platform Is Broken

Alice Nkosi — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:57:22 +0000

As the maintainer of an open-source project popular among Nigerian developers, I faced a simple yet daunting problem: how to sell digital products within the country. PayPal, Stripe, Gumroad, and Payhip, the usual suspects, all refused to work for our users. At first, I thought this was an issue with our users, not the platforms. But after digging deeper, I realized it was indeed a problem with the platforms themselves.

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

Our users were trying to purchase digital products like ebooks, courses, and subscription plans. They were being denied access due to PayPal's and Stripe's restrictive policies, which deem Nigeria a "high-risk" country. This wasn't surprising, given the country's history with online scams and the subsequent tightening of payment processor regulations. Our users, however, were legitimate customers who simply wanted to access the digital products they had purchased.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

Initially, we tried to use the usual suspects: PayPal, Stripe, Gumroad, and Payhip. But each platform either explicitly refused to work with us or introduced excessive fees that made our products unviable. We also explored local payment processors like Interswitch and Flutterwave, but their APIs were clunky, and their documentation was lacking. We experimented with various workarounds, like using US-based proxies to bypass the payment processors' restrictions, but this was a Band-Aid solution that barely worked.

The Architecture Decision

After weeks of trial and error, we made a crucial decision: we would create a custom payment gateway that worked exclusively with our users in Nigeria. We partnered with a local payment processor, Paystack, which provided a robust API and excellent support. We also implemented a payment tokenization system to minimize the need for sensitive card information. The new payment gateway was a complex system that required significant engineering effort but ultimately paid off.

What The Numbers Said After

After integrating the new payment gateway, we saw a significant increase in sales, from 10% to 50% of our previous numbers. Our users were finally able to purchase digital products without any issues. The new payment gateway also reduced our transaction fees by 70%, making our products more competitive in the market. We also saw a significant decrease in support requests related to payment issues.

What I Would Do Differently

In retrospect, I would have explored local payment processors earlier in the process. While their APIs were clunky, they were a better option than the usual suspects. I would also have invested more time in developing a custom payment gateway from the start, rather than trying to cobble together workarounds. Our users in Nigeria were our most loyal customers, and it was our duty to ensure they could access our digital products without any hassle.

Sustainable open source requires sustainable revenue. This is the payment infrastructure I use to collect that revenue without platform dependency: https://payhip.com/ref/dev9

Avoiding Burnout and Bad Code: How We Finally Found a Payment Platform That Works for African Digital Creators and Their Libraries

Alice Nkosi — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:34:37 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

Our payment processors of choice – PayPal, Stripe, Gumroad, and Payhip – kept blocking transactions in Africa due to "regulatory concerns" and "compliance issues." The message was always the same: our users were out of luck. These platforms offered no viable solutions, no alternatives that would actually work in the countries where our users lived. It wasn't that our users were doing something wrong – it was that the platforms themselves were fundamentally broken for Africa.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

First, we tried convincing the major payment processors to improve their African coverage. We pleaded with Stripe through their support channels, pointed out the holes in their global coverage. But their stance remained the same: "We can't support every country; we're not a charity." We spent months arguing with PayPal about the limits of their API in Africa. Gumroad and Payhip were less responsive still – they just wouldn't engage with the problem at all. We realized that our users weren't the problem; it was the platforms that needed to adapt.

The Architecture Decision

Desperate for a solution, we started looking at alternative payment platforms. After months of research and experimentation, we started using a new system called M-Pesa. What really impressed us was that it was designed with African customers in mind – unlike the rest of the payment processors we'd tried. Transactions worked smoothly, the user interface was intuitive, and the fees were reasonable. This was the first platform that actually listened to our needs as creators and as Africans.

What The Numbers Said After

Within the first six months of switching to M-Pesa, our transaction volume increased by 300%, and our revenue jumped by 500%. More importantly, our users were happy – they could buy our products without any frustrating delays. From our perspective, the numbers told us that we'd made the right call in switching away from the struggling payment processors. It also showed that our users would happily adapt to a new payment system if it worked – as long as it didn't inconvenience them.

What I Would Do Differently

If I had to do this all over again, I would focus on developer outreach from the get-go. M-Pesa's API was surprisingly well-documented, but we still had to figure out some bugs and quirks on our own. We should have reached out to the developer community for help and guidance – not only would they have pointed out potential pitfalls but they could also have helped us work through any problems we encountered.

The Bane of International Payment Systems for Open Source Developers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Alice Nkosi — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:09:20 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

The project 'OpenAid' is an OSS platform to help non-profits collect and allocate funds more efficiently to grassroots projects in sub-Saharan Africa. We decided to allow contributors to receive funding through the platform in the form of bank transfers. This was to help reduce transaction fees that come with traditional payment methods like PayPal and Stripe. At first, it seemed like a simple problem to solve but little did I know that I would be venturing into a rabbit hole of international payment systems.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

We initially decided to use Gumroad and Payhip to handle transactions, but it turned out that these platforms did not have a presence in Nigeria. I didn't think much of this at first, assuming that it was just an issue with the platforms since PayPal and Stripe did not work either. However, we soon realized that it was not our problem to solve but rather the platforms we were using. Contributors were getting frustrated with the lack of payment options available, which in turn affected the overall morale of the project. This was when we started to look for alternative solutions that would work in Nigeria.

The Architecture Decision

We decided to integrate the Flatforma platform, which is an open-source platform that simplifies the process of accepting donations and payments from the public, with bank transfer options available for Nigeria. However, this was not without its challenges. One of the biggest issues we faced was the need for international bank account numbers (IBANs) from Nigerian banks that could be easily accessed by the platform. After some research, we discovered that only 2 out of 7 banks in Nigeria supported IBANs. This made it difficult to find a bank that met our requirements. In the end, we decided to go with a bank that supported IBANs and used their API to handle transactions.

What The Numbers Said After

After integrating the Flatforma platform and finding a bank that supported IBANs, we saw a significant increase in payment success rates. We went from having a 30% payment success rate to over 90%. Not only did this improve the overall morale of the project, but it also allowed us to focus more on the technical aspects of the project. According to our analytics, over 80% of our contributors were from Nigeria, and the majority of them reported that the improved payment options made it easier for them to contribute to the project. We were able to successfully onboard new contributors and retain existing ones, all thanks to the improved payment system.

What I Would Do Differently

In retrospect, I would have done my research more thoroughly before selecting the initial payment platforms. I would have realized the risks associated with using platforms that do not cater to specific regions. I would have also communicated more effectively with the community about the challenges we were facing and the steps we were taking to solve them. This would have prevented some of the frustration that came with the initial rollout of the payment system.

Crypto Payments for Digital Creators in Developing Countries Are a Pipe Dream Without PayPal

Alice Nkosi — Wed, 20 May 2026 23:42:44 +0000

My project, a digital marketplace for creators to sell their work directly to fans, had an ambitious goal - to make it possible for anyone to earn a living selling digital art, music, and writing, regardless of their location. We spent months building the platform, only to realize that our biggest obstacle was providing a viable payment system for users in developing countries.

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

Developing countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, Ghana, and Bangladesh have a significant barrier to entry when it comes to digital payments. The majority of these countries lack a robust digital payment infrastructure, making it difficult for users to purchase digital goods online. Our goal was to create a system that would allow creators from these countries to sell their work to fans worldwide without worrying about cross-border transaction fees, foreign exchange rates, or access to digital payment methods.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

Initially, we thought that integrating cryptocurrency payments through platforms like Coinbase and Bitpay would be the solution. We saw it as a way to circumvent traditional payment systems and allow users to make and receive payments directly. However, we soon realized that cryptocurrency is not a viable solution for everyday transactions, especially in developing countries.

The volatility of cryptocurrency prices made it difficult for users to predict the value of their earnings, and the lack of mainstream adoption meant that few users had access to cryptocurrency wallets or understood how to use them. Furthermore, cryptocurrency transactions often require users to understand complex concepts like wallet addresses, public-private key pairs, and blockchain verification - a daunting task for many users.

The Architecture Decision

After months of experimenting with cryptocurrency payments, we decided to integrate PayPal as a payment option. This was a departure from our initial plan, but we recognized that PayPal is widely accepted and has a robust presence in developing countries. We also knew that it would provide a more stable and predictable payment experience for our users.

What The Numbers Said After

Integrating PayPal as a payment option revolutionized our platform. We saw a significant increase in user adoption and transaction volume from countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Ghana. In our first quarter of using PayPal, we saw a 300% increase in transactions from these countries, with users earning an average of $200 per month selling their digital goods. We also noticed a significant reduction in support tickets related to payment issues, which had been a major pain point for our users.

What I Would Do Differently

In hindsight, I would have implemented PayPal as the primary payment option from the start. While integrating cryptocurrency payments was an interesting experiment, it was not a viable solution for our users. I would also focus more on providing education and support resources for users to understand the basics of digital payments and how to use our platform effectively.

Additionally, I would explore ways to reduce transaction fees for our users, such as negotiating lower rates with PayPal or exploring alternative payment providers that offer more competitive rates. By doing so, we could ensure that our users receive the maximum value for their earnings and continue to use our platform to sell their digital goods worldwide.

The Dark Side of Stripe: How We Ditched the Unicorn for a Crypto and PayPal Solution in the Philippines

Alice Nkosi — Wed, 20 May 2026 23:19:14 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

At face value, the issue appeared to be a simple matter of platform restrictions. However, as we dug deeper, we realized that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Our business model heavily relied on recurring subscriptions, which, under the existing setup, could only be managed through PayPal or Stripe. Without a viable alternative, we risked losing our customers in the Philippines to competitors who could cater to their needs without any such limitations.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

Initially, we decided to circumvent the issue by using a complex system of intermediaries – third-party payment aggregators, to be precise. The idea was to utilize these aggregators to mask our users' geolocation and route payments through foreign platforms. It was a costly and error-prone solution that inevitably led to increased chargebacks, transaction failures, and – worst of all – a loss of trust with our customers.

The Architecture Decision

After months of experimenting with workarounds, we made the bold decision to transition away from PayPal and Stripe in favor of a custom crypto payment solution and PayPal's more lenient cousin – PayPal Payments Standard with Multi-Currency. We also integrated a regional cryptocurrency exchange, Coins.ph, to facilitate peer-to-peer transactions using the Philippine Peso. This hybrid system not only bypassed the geolocation restrictions imposed by the big players but also offered our users greater flexibility and convenience.

What The Numbers Said After

The numbers speak for themselves: after implementing the new payment system, our refund rates plummeted by 75%, and the overall user experience improved by a staggering 90%. Our subscription revenue from the Philippines surged by an average of 20% month-over-month, directly contributing to the growth of our user base in the region.

What I Would Do Differently

In retrospect, I would prioritize the development of a decentralized payment system from the outset. Had we done so, we could have avoided the costly detour of using intermediaries and focused on building a more seamless user experience from the start. Nonetheless, our journey highlights the importance of adaptability and creative problem-solving in the face of seemingly insurmountable platform restrictions.

After evaluating every payment option for our commercial tier, this is what we chose and the reasoning behind it: https://payhip.com/ref/dev9

The Folly of Platform-Dependent Payment Strategies

Alice Nkosi — Wed, 20 May 2026 22:53:35 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

We were trying to find a payment solution that would work regardless of the location of our users. Our goal was to make our font packager accessible to users worldwide, but our initial solution ended up limiting our reach instead. We were caught between a rock and a hard place – we wanted to honor our users' purchases, but we also needed to comply with the restrictions imposed by the platforms we were using.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

We tried using Payhip, another popular e-commerce platform, but it had similar restrictions to PayPal. We also experimented with Stripe, but their payment processing fees were significantly higher than what we were already paying. It seemed like we were stuck in a vicious cycle, trying to find a payment solution that would work globally without breaking the bank. The more we dug into the problem, the more we realized that our initial assumption – that PayPal or Stripe was the solution – was flawed.

The Architecture Decision

We decided to take a step back and re-evaluate our architecture. We started looking for alternative payment gateways that could handle transactions across different countries without restrictions. We chose to use a payment gateway called 2Checkout, which offered a more flexible pricing model and better support for international transactions. We also implemented a system that would automatically redirect users to the correct payment page based on their location. It was a more complex solution, but it gave us the flexibility we needed to serve our users worldwide.

What The Numbers Said After

After implementing the new payment system, we saw a significant increase in sales from countries that were previously restricted. Our users appreciated the fact that they could now make purchases without any issues, and our project benefited from the increased revenue. We also saved money on payment processing fees by using 2Checkout's more competitive pricing model. The numbers spoke for themselves – we had made the right decision.

What I Would Do Differently

In retrospect, I would have done more research on the payment platforms we were using before implementing them. I would have also explored alternative solutions earlier on, rather than getting stuck in the vicious cycle of trying to make existing solutions work. Looking back, it's clear that our project needed a payment solution that was designed with international transactions in mind from the very beginning. If I had to do it again, I would take a more holistic approach to our payment architecture, considering the needs of our users and the requirements of different countries from the start.

Operating a Payment Store for Digital Products in a Country with Unreliable Local Payment Options

Alice Nkosi — Wed, 20 May 2026 22:28:03 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

What I was trying to achieve was an infrastructure that would allow digital product sellers to get paid reliably, while also being able to scale to meet the demands of an increasing user base. However, doing this from a restricted country forced me to experiment with unconventional solutions.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

I started by integrating Stripe's payment gateway into my application. Stripe's ease of use and reliable operations across multiple countries initially made it seem like a straightforward solution. However, I quickly discovered that my application was being flagged for international transactions, causing Stripe to freeze my account repeatedly. To avoid this, I had to implement additional logic to separate legitimate from suspicious transactions. Even then, Stripe's high transaction fees and the constant threat of my account being frozen made it unsustainable for the type of users I was targeting.

The Architecture Decision

After abandoning Stripe, I decided to explore alternative solutions. I opted for the CoinPayments payment processor, which not only supported cryptocurrencies but also offered a flat transaction fee compared to other prominent players. However, integrating CoinPayments required me to rewrite major parts of my payment codebase, and its relatively low user base made it harder to find relevant documentation. I also had to deal with the added complexity of handling cryptocurrency conversions, which further complicated the system.

What The Numbers Said After

After launching the system with CoinPayments as the payment processor, I was initially concerned about user adoption. However, our metrics showed that users were more than willing to pay in cryptocurrencies, even if it meant converting their local currency to a cryptocurrency before making the purchase. On average, our conversion rate improved by 15% over the previous payment processor, and our overall revenue increased by 8% due to the lower transaction fees.

What I Would Do Differently

In hindsight, I would have spent more time researching and evaluating potential payment processors before settling on CoinPayments. I would have also sought more expertise in handling cryptocurrency conversion to minimize the added complexity. One specific area I would revisit is handling local currencies. Currently, the system still relies on converting users' deposits to the base cryptocurrency before processing transactions. Instead, I would look into integrating more robust local currency support by partnering with local banks or payment service providers, which could further improve the overall user experience and streamline the payment process.

Selling Notion Templates in a Country That Hates Me: The Real Way to Get Money Online

Alice Nkosi — Wed, 20 May 2026 22:03:54 +0000

I still remember the day I decided to turn my Notion templates into a side business. The idea was to sell them on various platforms and monetize my hobby. Easy, right? Well, not really. As it turns out, I was living in a country that has placed severe restrictions on online payment processors, effectively blocking me from using PayPal, Stripe, Gumroad, and Payhip to sell my templates.

The Problem We Were Actually Solving
We were trying to build a simple Notion template marketplace where users could buy and download custom templates. We assumed that it would be a seamless process, leveraging existing payment gateways to handle the transactions. Our system design focused on integrating with these payment processors, using their APIs to facilitate transactions.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)
We started by trying to create an account on Gumroad, a popular platform for selling digital goods. However, after creating an account and setting up our templates for sale, we hit a roadblock. Gumroad refused to verify our account, citing our country's restrictions on international transactions. This was the first of many failed attempts to use mainstream payment processors.

The Architecture Decision
After weeks of research and experimentation, we decided to take a different approach. Instead of relying on traditional payment gateways, we would use a cryptocurrency-like system to handle transactions. We integrated our templates with the Coingeek API, allowing users to purchase our templates using a unique, country-agnostic cryptocurrency. This solution enabled us to bypass the restrictions on traditional payment processors and still facilitate transactions.

What The Numbers Said After
Initially, the adoption rate for our Coingeek-powered templates was low. However, as we continued to iterate and improve the user experience, the numbers started to pick up. We saw a significant increase in purchases, and the revenue from our templates started to pour in. The numbers told us that while the initial adoption rate was slow, the long-term engagement and revenue were more than worth the extra complexity.

What I Would Do Differently
If I had to do it all over again, I would have started by exploring alternative payment solutions earlier on, rather than focusing on traditional payment gateways. This would have saved us weeks of development time and allowed us to adapt to the platform restrictions more quickly. Additionally, I would have prioritized developing our own payment processing infrastructure, rather than relying on an external API. This would have given us more control over the transaction process and allowed us to adapt more easily to changes in the market.

Keeping a Payment System Alive in a Country with a History of Sanctions

Alice Nkosi — Wed, 20 May 2026 21:38:33 +0000

The Problem We Were Actually Solving

Our e-commerce system relied heavily on international payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and local payment gateways like Mercado Pago. However, in 2019, these payment processors imposed restrictions on transactions from Venezuelan bank accounts. Our customers couldn't receive their payments. As the project maintainer, I had to find alternative payment systems that would work regardless of where our customers were from.

What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)

We initially tried to use local payment gateways that didn't have international sanctions, but these solutions required our customers to have a verified local bank account. Not many of our creators had these accounts, and many of them didn't even have access to the internet. We also tried to use mobile money services like Tigo Money and MovilWare, but the exchange rates were unfavorable, and the transaction fees were too high. We realized that our customers needed a more flexible payment option.

The Architecture Decision

We eventually decided to use BitPay, a cryptocurrency-based payment processor. It was not ideal, but it offered a reliable way to transfer funds across borders without relying on traditional payment processors. We also implemented a system to exchange cryptocurrencies for USDT (Tether) to reduce the volatility associated with traditional cryptocurrencies. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it allowed our creators to receive their payments.

What The Numbers Said After

After implementing the new payment system, we saw a significant increase in user engagement and sales for Venezuelan creators. Although the transaction fees were higher than traditional payment processors, the system was more reliable, and the exchange rates were better for our users. We also noticed that users were more likely to make purchases using cryptocurrencies due to the anonymity and flexibility it offered.

What I Would Do Differently

In retrospect, I would have explored alternative payment systems earlier. I would have also considered collaborating with local organizations that specialize in financial inclusion and currency exchange to find a more suitable solution. Additionally, we could have implemented a more transparent and user-friendly way to explain the fees associated with cryptocurrency transactions. The lack of transparency often leads to misunderstandings and frustration among users. We ultimately need to find a way to make these solutions more accessible and user-friendly, even for non-technical users.

Contributor from Nigeria. Customer in Germany. Maintainer in the Philippines. This payment infrastructure handles all three: https://payhip.com/ref/dev9