Thanks for the feedback guys. So far it's 2-1 to stay with Bittrex.
How are we promoting this in Africa?
1. We've already had many enquiries and new users from Africa, but as said earlier, the 2 questions we're always getting asked are "what can I buy or do with them?" and "How do I cash out?".
2. We've been getting pricing for billboard advertising. We're thinking about intercity expressways and strategic placements at city road junctions. We want kobocoin to feel like part of the infrastructure.
3. We've also been getting pricing for ads in traditional press
I've started looking for suitable partners all over the continent. It's a challenge because many companies aren't aware of how to get started in crypto. This is why I'm pushing for KOBO to be part of payment gateways. Then I can speak to a number of online stores about accepting KOBO but being paid in FIAT (this is how some of the gateways work - how?? I need to investigate!).
On that front, I've just confirmed with Cointopay that we shall be part of their gateway from 20th July. Once we're on, I will start speaking to all the online retailers. I'm prepared to integrate the payment gateway myself if need be. This will mean that it's possible for the sites that do integrate the gateway to accept a number of cryptos, not just KOBO. I'm not too worried about that. It will be a step forward for every crypto involved, but at least KOBO will be there. I've also heard back from eDigicash. I have to provide API documentation for inclusion there so it may be some time for that to happen.
Once we have one site on board I believe I'll be able to convince other retailers to join up. If it costs them nothing, but increases their reach into the market I'm hoping they may be favourable to the proposal.
Then we can show users where their kobo can be used. At the moment there's people holding kobo with nowhere to use it. Not the best. That's why I'm making sure the exchange rate function is working. It would be nice for them to see how much the kobo they're holding is worth. At the moment new users are asking how much they're worth, and in some cases, what are they?? The price detail will help users see it as having a real value other than just being 'a new internet thing' or remittance token.
It might seem slow with the publicity, but I'd really like to have something solid to publicise. We are getting there. I've started looking at comparing KOBO with other African currencies e.g
https://twitter.com/kobocoindev/status/618359316085669888/ - I'll be doing a lot more of these to show how KOBO is doing against local FIAT.
It's still a long road. Kobocoin is
5 months old today (feels like 5 years in dev time!). At the risk of having you all run away, I see Skype and UBER as role models for Kobocoin. They've been around for ages building their brand, having ups and downs, and making moves. And look at them today. As long as we stay steadfast and keep putting one foot in front of the other so that each week we're a step forward from the previous week, then I'm sure we'll get there.
I'm looking forward to kobo being on a payment gateway.