Coca-Cola Vending Machines in Australia & New Zealand Accept Bitcoin, Ether

Coca-Cola and crypto fans in Australia and New Zealand can now enjoy both of those things at the same time. The US might come next.

One of the world’s five major Coca-Cola bottlers, Coca-Cola Amatil and digital asset integrator Centrapay have partnered to allow all the drinkers of this popular beverage to buy a can from a vending machine, but with crypto, states the press release.

The “thirsty antipodeans” are able to get their drink from Amatil’s 2000+ vending machines through the Sylo Smart Wallet, an app that combines a private messenger with a digital wallet. The machines accept payments in cryptocurrency or other digital assets. The wallet’s website claims it supports over 100 cryptoassets, including bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH).

Users just need to install the Sylo Smart Wallet, scan the provided QR code payment sticker, and touch the vending machine once to complete their purchase.

Jerome Faury, Centrapay CEO, says that the firm solved two major issues that stand as barriers to the adoption of Web 3.0 technology, these being integration complexity and poor user experience. (However, their customers’ reactions are mixed). The CEO adds that Centrapay is working on creating a future in which individuals have full control over their digital identity and their data.

“Now we’ve shown how it can work in Australia and New Zealand, we’re looking to grow the business globally,” says Faury. “We’ve established a presence in North America and will be targeting the US market next with some world-first innovations.”

This latest partnership has an additional benefit in the times of the Coronavirus pandemic, as it reduces physical contact and addresses hygiene concerns, says the press release.

The announcement comes as New Zealand moves into Alert Level 1, after 17 days with no new cases of COVID-19, which means that public and private events can be held without limitations, while retail, hospitality, public transport, and travel across the country are now also fully opened.