For quite a while now, I have been thinking about the possibility of having a global STEEM marketplace that will be built on top of the Steem blockchain and will allow for the payment of goods and services using STEEM or SBD as a medium of exchange.
As you would probably expect, the emergence of a STEEM Marketplace will not only provide more spending option for STEEM and SBD but improve their value in the ocean of tokens out there.
Think about the possibility of shopping online, on a platform that is built on top of the Steem blockchain and making payment exclusively with STEEM or SBD, then you'll understand the promises which a global STEEM marketplace holds for STEEM.
At any rate, @nateaguila came up with an important announcement yesterday about what could herald the emergence of a global STEEM marketplace. I will show you what I mean:
Being himself a renowned graphic designer who was deeply involved with the design of Steem Keychain and a creative director at Splinterlands, @nateaguila announced the launch of Steemstyle, an online platform that will be showcasing and selling Steem-branded items such as T-shirts, mugs, Caps, Sweaters, bags, etc.
@Nateaguila aims to bring STEEM to the masses by promoting a robust culture of STEEM through branded items. He believes, as well as I do, that promoting Steem brands will trigger the curiosity of others and help to onboard more people to Steem.
Here is how he puts it:
I love Steem, and I personally want to be able to wear apparel that doesn’t just broadcast my membership of this crazy culture--but also makes people on the street think, “I don’t know what that is, but I want to be a part of it!” That’s why I created Steemstyle, for myself and for anyone else who wants to broadcast their Steem-membership to help onboard the masses!
It is important to mention, nevertheless, that I have visited the website of Steemstyle Store. and can testify that it is really stylish and cool for anyone who loves STEEM.
Presently, even though you already have a Steem account, you have to sign up afresh to use the site - although the sign up process is incredibly swift as long as you enter a valid email address.
Also, I went through the catalogue on the site and found different fascinating items - all interestingly Steem-branded. At the moment items can be paid for in four fiat currencies namely USD, EUR, GBP, and NGN. Hopefully, more options will be available as things get more interesting.
Permit me to point out that Steemstyle is user friendly and easy to navigate. And these qualities are exactly what is needed to engage with the masses, introduce them to STEEM and hopefully turn them into STEEM converts.
Nevertheless, I expected to see STEEM or at least SBD being accepted as a means of payment on Steemstyle but the feature is presently unavailable. While I do not know, and will not pretend to know, the mind of @Nateguila, I believe that integrating a STEEM payment option on the site will attract more STEEM users, improve sales, and truly promote STEEM not only as a social media platform but as a viable medium of exchange.
I forsee that Steemstyle will lay a solid foundation for the emergence of a global STEEM marketplace where, united in the brotherhood of STEEM, buyers and sellers can meet, do business, and promote STEEM as a token of great value.
We have seen it happening with the launch of Palnet, the first Steem-engine based tribe by @yabapmatt and @aggroed. Today, we have over three dozens tribes. Similarly, other sleeping entrepreneurs on STEEM are likely to wake up and provide us with a global STEEM marketplace where all manner of goods and services can be exchanged for STEEM.
Until I come your way again, I wish you a full STEEM ahead.
I am @gandhibaba, the young man who goes about carrying his magical pen, not his gun, in his pockets.
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Gif courtesy of @artzanolino
That Splinterlands gear is awesome!! I will be stocking up from this site.
Yea friend I think that the store is generally loaded too. Only that I will be happier if Steem or Sbd can be accepted as a means of payment too.
Thanks for the shout out!
Regarding Steem as a payment method, we decide to launch with just fiat to start (until we dial in a sustainable strategy that makes sense for Steem payments).
What I didn't want to do was accept Steem...then turn around and dump it on the market to get fiat for business expenses. Taking people's precious Steem, then selling it...that's not what I wanted to do.
Any Steem we get should be powered up to elevate the platform. And that's what we aim to do by using 20% of the profits to buy Steem, power it up, and upvote bloggers and vloggers who showcase Steemstyle in their posts.
HOWEVER, we do plan on accepting Steem at some point. In fact, the development for Steem Keychain integration is already complete. We're just waiting for the right time to make it live.
Thanks for taking your time to explain the ongoing developments around Steemstyle. Now I can see why the acceptance of Steem is still pending, although you plan on making it available at some point. It is a noble decision.
As for the keychain integration, I am glad to hear that since it will prevent double registration for those who already have Steem accounts while non-Steem account holders can go through the other process of registration.
I wish you and the Steemstyle team all the best and will make my first patronage soon. Cheers!
I foresee a future where Steem will gain massive adoption. It can only get better.
We dey here laidis baba
Yes boss, it can only get better by the day and we are the lucky ones being the early birds. Cheers!
Way to go , We need a Steem store ! I was thinking the same thing. Great post David!
Thanks boss. Good to hear from you.