Interview with Patrick van der Meijde
The following interview was conducted remotely, with Markus in Lisbon and Patrick back home in Arnhem after attending the largest Bitcoin conference in Europe, Bitcoin Amsterdam.
Which were the first 3 shops/restaurants to accept BTC as payment?
We began on May 28, 2014, with 15 bars and restaurants. We organized a pub crawl for local Bitcoin enthusiasts, and around 70 people joined. Cafe Njoy was the first establishment to agree to accept Bitcoin. Although the cafe has since changed ownership, the new owner has continued to accept Bitcoin as a payment method.
Which were the hardest ones to convince?
The toughest part was getting the first bar owner on board to help establish Arnhem Bitcoin City. I faced rejection at 5 or 6 other cafes before finally finding one that agreed.
Are there many different solutions available for BTC payments?
CryptoChipy жалғасуда: Or would you simply recommend using the Wallet of Satoshi, where the shop provides a BTC address, and you wait for the transaction to be confirmed?
Currently, all merchants accept Lightning payments, which are instantaneous. Nearly all of them use BitKassa, the largest Bitcoin payment processor in the Netherlands. BitKassa has now integrated support for Bolt Lightning NFC cards. You can see how it works here: https://twitter.com/BitKassaNL/status/1578822489442222081
CryptoChipy notes: For more information on the Lightning Network, the fastest method for Bitcoin transfers, check out this сұхбат with Robert. You can also explore the top online payment processors here.
Do you already see other towns following how Arnhem created it?
Back in 2014, we had a bit of competition with Amsterdam, but they eventually let go of the idea, as maintaining it requires a lot of consistent energy. Over the years, several similar initiatives have been attempted but eventually faded. However, there’s positive news: initiatives like Bitcoin Ekasi in South Africa and Bitcoin Island in the Philippines are showing up more frequently. I hope they continue their efforts and don’t give up after a few years.
When do you think Bitcoin will be part of everyday life in Netherlands?
The Netherlands may take longer than other countries to fully adopt Bitcoin. The country has one of the best payment infrastructures in the world—cheap, fast, and easy to use. This makes it difficult for Bitcoin to compete unless privacy becomes a primary concern (which most people aren’t focused on). However, we believe that Bitcoin will eventually become the most widely used currency globally.
Is there any shop in Arnhem that you are gutted about?
Are there any great places that still don’t accept Bitcoin?
Patrick responds: Well, you can already pay for just about everything you need with Bitcoin, but it would be nice if we could get the local zoo to accept Bitcoin. Burgers Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the Netherlands, featuring world-class aquariums, bush, and mangrove exhibits.
Would you ever consider ETH, USDC, USDT, or any other cryptocurrency?
All the founders of Arnhem Bitcoin City are Bitcoin maximalists.
Patrick says: Back in 2017, when there was no Lightning Network and Bitcoin fees were too high to be used for small transactions like grocery payments, we considered altcoins. But now, with the Lightning Network working well, we have no interest in supporting altcoins.
CryptoChipy adds: The Netherlands recently saw an inflation rate of about 14%.
Do you have any suggestions on how to improve that number?
The last measurement was 17%, which is concerning. However, with all the debt and money created during the COVID period, this was to be expected. I hope more people will discover Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation.
Ескерту: You can learn more about BTC in our review. It is currently ranked number one among all cryptocurrencies.
CryptoChipy observes: Some Arnhem Bitcoin users are attending Bitcoin Amsterdam.
Are there any other conferences that you recommend to attend?
I would recommend attending Adopting Bitcoin in El Salvador, which takes place from November 15–17, 2022! Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend myself, but it was high on my wish list. You can also check out this Reddit story, which may be interesting to read.
Markus would like to thank Patrick for taking the time to answer these questions about Arnhem’s advanced approach to crypto payments.
Below are a few more frequently asked questions about Arnhem and Bitcoin.
Which is the best Bitcoin wallet to use in Arnhem?
Bolt Lightning NFC cards are the fastest to use. This is a Lightning wallet designed for making Bitcoin payments in physical stores. The Bolt cards prioritize speed, simplicity, and an optimal user experience.
How was Bitcoin City created?
Arnhem became known as Bitcoin City (or “Arnhem Bitcoinstad” in Dutch) after three crypto enthusiasts sought to introduce Bitcoin payments to their town. They believed Bitcoin should not only be viewed as a store of value but also as a functional means of payment. The city officially launched as Bitcoin City on May 28, 2014, with 15 establishments initially accepting Bitcoin.
Patrick van der Meijde was introduced to Bitcoin and brought the idea to Arnhem. Along with other Bitcoin enthusiasts, Annet de Boer and Rogier Eijkelhof, they developed a payment system that local vendors could install on their devices to accept Bitcoin payments. Their efforts transformed the town into Bitcoin City, and it all began over a conversation about making Bitcoin the universal method of payment. At first, many merchants had never heard of Bitcoin, and some were hesitant to adopt it, associating it with criminal activity.
Despite these challenges, the team managed to convince various vendors. One of the first to accept Bitcoin was Christiann, a frozen yogurt vendor. She has described how Bitcoin payments have been transformative for her business over the years. Patrick jokes that even the yogurt tastes better when paid for with Bitcoin.
Other participating businesses include restaurants like Dems En Heren, diners like Mej Janssen, bars like Cafe De Beugel, and shops like Kringloop Arnhem De Schat Kemer. They also convinced liquor stores, hotels, leisure activities, and service providers to join in. The success of the Bitcoin project in Arnhem has generated greater interest in the crypto industry, leading to increasing demand for more merchants to adopt Bitcoin payments.
What can be bought with Bitcoin in this town?
In Arnhem Bitcoin City, residents use Bitcoin for nearly all their purchases. Visitors should be aware of the requirements for making transactions in the city. Bitcoin is the primary payment method, and various businesses, including restaurants, bars, hotels, and supermarkets, accept it. You can buy cakes, pastries, food, flowers, interior decor, and even frozen yogurt with Bitcoin. A local wood engraver, Tim, even accepts Bitcoin for his services. He has also posted a sign advertising that he accepts Bitcoin payments.
The Bitcoin City promotes over 100 venues that accept Bitcoin payments, offering an impressive number of Bitcoin-friendly merchants. The popularity of Bitcoin allows people to purchase organic food, car parts, sweets, and enjoy escape games. Visitors can also travel to and from the airport, rent cars, or hire taxis with Bitcoin.
In Arnhem, it’s common to see people using their phones for Bitcoin transactions, as it has become the standard method of payment. This Bitcoin town is proving that an alternative to the current financial system is possible by creating a Bitcoin-based economy.
While Bitcoin can be used for most purchases in Arnhem, price inflation in the crypto market has made some people cautious. The fluctuations in cryptocurrency prices present challenges, but the city remains determined to continue promoting Bitcoin adoption. Other cities looking to become crypto-friendly cities look to Arnhem for inspiration.
Despite challenges such as price volatility and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led some conservative merchants to stop accepting Bitcoin, the initiators of Arnhem Bitcoin City continue to encourage cryptocurrency adoption. They regularly host meetups to welcome anyone interested in Bitcoin, with the next meetup scheduled for Saturday, October 15th.
