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zaps forwarded to @nickteecee (25%) @john (25%) @willcole (25%)
Hi all, this is John and the Zaprite team. Feel free to ask us anything. Zaprite is a non-custodial payments platform offering merchant tools for getting paid in bitcoin. You can learn more at zaprite.com
this territory is moderated
Do you think the state is a problem?
If not, what's your favorite way to comply with the state?
If yes, how does one solve this problem?
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state: based
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I'm a journalist and needed to consult a coder to understand your strange way of saying "no comment"
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state: based // bitcoin is the solution, opt out
I added a comment.
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What do you think the role is for companies that require permission slips from governments to further technology that subverts governments, without assisting governments in subverting the subverters?
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1422 sats \ 7 replies \ @kr 19 Mar
I’m curious to hear about the new ideas on your roadmap, can you talk about the product direction for Zaprite moving forward?
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To expand on John's note: Wallet connections are front and center as are primary integrations with other e-commerce platforms. A core part of our strategy is to bring Zaprite payments to where you already are; the wallet/custody arrangement you like, and the platform you like to sell on. Let us know if there is a particular wallet or e-commerce platform you'd like to see us add.
We're also keeping a close eye on BOLT12, creative ways to do subscriptions that could be productized etc...
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110 sats \ 2 replies \ @kr 19 Mar
Nice, I’m not a seller myself, but I’d imagine there is a massive market of Shopify sellers that would be interested in receiving Bitcoin payments
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Indeed. We love Shopify. Their app store is a bit more locked down than WooCommerce's, but we've been talking to them and hope to be in there this summer. The main issue we're working through is that we don't take a transaction fee, which looks odd to Shopify. We'll get through it though!
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10 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr 19 Mar
awesome to hear you’re working on this!
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Any BOLT12 , Core Lightning or LDK fans on the thread? What wallets/tools do you use?
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To expand on John's note: Wallet connections are front and center as are primary integrations with other e-commerce platforms. A core part of our strategy is to bring Zaprite payments to where you already are; the wallet/custody arrangement you like, and the platform you like to sell on. Let us know if there is a particular wallet or e-commerce platform you'd like to see us add.
Being wallet/platform agnostic is gonna be huge for Zaprite. Earning and getting paid in Bitcoin is gonna be the future.
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We are in final testing stages for our API + Webhook feature, which I'm personally really excited about. This will open up Zaprite to be used on any platform.
After that, we'll be adding more Connections as always.
We'll also be increasing the Roles available under the teams feature.
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Zaprite currently supports over 15 connections. What do you want to see next?
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Would love Spotify and Etsy integration as well.
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Onboarding Spotify would be a huge win :)
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Amboss :)
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1234 sats \ 3 replies \ @314piepi 19 Mar
Do you like beefsteaks?
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It's pleasure to read it. I don't have any other questions. Have a great evening
Best wishes, pi
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When POS Brick & Mortar in-person payments with Zaprite? Thanks.
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144 sats \ 1 reply \ @john fwd 19 Mar
A general POS UI is on our roadmap for sure. We don't have a release date yet, but it is a feature often requested so it's near the top of the list.
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We're also looking to integrate with existing PoS terminals. However, they're a bit more locked down that things like WooCommerce and Shopify.
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Have you managed to onboard many businesses who are specifically interested in fiat optionality?
Curious of their thoughts and reasons for using your software, as well as their general impressions of Bitcoin.
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We've found fiat optionality to be a requirement for the majority of our customers. We've invested a lot in making sure the fiat options sitting side-by-side with bitcoin are the best at what they do. Most businesses, even bitcoin businesses, still have obligations in some fiat currency or another, and they appreciate being able to stack both. It also helps sales. More discerning customers have found success in adding a premium to fiat payments, showing a clear preference for bitcoin. Wilson Mining did a nice video that covers some of this: https://twitter.com/WilsonMining/status/1766544769281413572?s=20
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196 sats \ 0 replies \ @davidw 19 Mar
Love that.
Not sure if this dynamic can or will happen but would be cool to see you guys onboard more fiat customers, due to the customer experience. And for those businesses to get orange-pilled when their customers start using bitcoin as a payment method. Or that they then see the amount of fiat processing fees they are spending vs other customers on your platform.
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Completely unbiased question here, but where is Bitcoin country?
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The same place that defeated the Mexicans at San Jacinto 188 years ago. The same place where freedom and property rights reign supreme. TEXAS BABY!
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That's the correct answer.
Also, what are your plans for getting the boot seller in Fort Worth to use Zaprite so we don't have to convert our Bitcoins to dirty fiat when we buy them boots?
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I'll put in an urgent call.
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A Bitcoin country is in each of its users. Each body is a country. Don't believe me? Research about the Montevideo Convention in 1933 about what represent a country.
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El Salvador is becoming a strong Bitcoin country
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I don't have specific questions to ask. But I can say that I used Zaprite and I like it. I also recommend it to those that need something like this. I think is a good niche for this kind of services in Bitcoinlandia. Good work guys, keep going!
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Thanks for the feedback. Making it easy for merchants to accept bitcoin is a critical part of how we all succeed. And we believe our service fills a need that is only growing.
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Making it easy for merchants to accept bitcoin is a critical part of how we all succeed.
THIS is my focus too. I onboarded many merchants during these 10+ years in Bitcoinlandia. Without merchants adoption and circular economies, Bitcoin is nothing. Is all for nothing.
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It all starts with merchants. And in particular, merchants who understand bitcoin.
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1170 sats \ 3 replies \ @siggy47 19 Mar
Is it tough jurisdictionally to provide services? Are there restricted geographic regions?
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Because we are non-custodial it makes it much easier for us to operate globally. As a US-based company however, we do have to block OFAC sanctioned countries.
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How do you feel about OFAC block list? Is it warranted?
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I wish we didn't have to do it, it effects a lot of innocent people. But as a US company our hands are tied.
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1111 sats \ 1 reply \ @amaluenda 19 Mar
Fyi, @BTCsessions covered Zaprite in great detail below:
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@BTCsessions is a treasure.
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1191 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 19 Mar
Great service. So glad you're doing an AMA!
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Thanks! Appreciate the feedback.
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As a zaprite customer the $25 a month fee is very expensive for my needs. I hope a pay as you go model can come out to help those why might only need to use it a few times a month.
But I pay as I need it to support bitcoin businesses!
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That's understandable.
The reason we started at $25 is that we built our own custom subscription functionality, which we plan on releasing as a feature to our users in future. So we had to start with something simple and go from there. For some, $25 is a little high, for others $25 is very low (as we don't charge transaction fees on volumes). We knew we had to land somewhere in the middle as a first offering.
But we will be looking at expanding the available subscription tiers at some point in the near future. We understand that there are users with varying needs and we will certainly do everything we can to accommodate those use cases as we grow.
But I pay as I need it to support bitcoin businesses!
Respect! Thank you.
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Hope they consider volume-based pricing soon.
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Or even better, add an option for per invoice price model since the monthly flat fee could price out some demographics.
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Both valid options. We are considering a lot of ways we can support merchants. As we grow we will start to offer more choices.
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You've already done a lot for the community. This invoicing product works beautifully and solves a major pain point and you're helping businesses migrate to a Bitcoin standard. Thank you!
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1200 sats \ 2 replies \ @Car 19 Mar
Where is the best place to get a proper pint of Guinness in the world and how should it be served. @john
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110 sats \ 1 reply \ @john fwd 19 Mar
…and how should it be served
Not in a plastic 12oz cup for $12 on Paddy's Day in Austin!
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Car 19 Mar
🤣
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1100 sats \ 1 reply \ @BlokchainB 19 Mar
Tell Bitcoin Magazine to adopt yall as the official payment sponsor. It’s ridiculous how hard it is to buy stuff with bitcoin on their site on mobile
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Well, we do provide the best bitcoin payment experience. 😎 So that seems like a good idea.
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1010 sats \ 1 reply \ @amaluenda 19 Mar
Is there an online ticketing system/service already using Zaprite?
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Not to my knowledge. We've looked into a couple, but haven't found one with the right combo of customer base and open API/payments model that would let us slide in. We could be missing an obvious one, so let us know if it's out there. It's an obvious next step to e-commerce.
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Do you have specific plans for India and China? How do you think you will cope with the regulations there considering both countries don't allow such services for businesses at all?
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We are a non-custodial SaaS platform so we don't fall under money transmitter regulations like, for example, exchanges would. While we don't have specific plans for specific regions, we do make our platform available to all non-OFAC countries.
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Thanks for the information. Indeed helpful.
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Not sure if you're done with the questions, but I'd like to ask one anyway: What makes your service stand out from the competition ?
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248 sats \ 1 reply \ @john fwd 19 Mar
One key difference is that Zaprite is non-custodial. This is not just a stance, but provides many benefits over other similar platforms:
  1. We do not require personal information to use the app. You can sign up with just an email.
  2. We are wallet agnostic and enable multiple wallet connections. This allows users to easily switch between rails and customize Checkouts on-the-fly.
  3. We don't touch user funds, so cannot take a transaction percentage. All payments are peer-to-peer.
  4. We offer bitcoin and fiat payments side-by-side.
We also believe our platform is the easiest and most user-friendly way to accept bitcoin payments. We don't believe any competitor comes close in this regard.
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Sounds like I'll have to give it a try ! Don't get me wrong, I'm just curious: where does your salary come from ?
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What are your projections for strategic company growth and how do you think you’ll get there?
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Our goal is to onboard merchants who understand the bitcoin store of value thesis, and who understand that accepting bitcoin for payments is the next logical step.
This is an ever-expanding market.
So we need to make sure we provide the best possible bitcoin payment experience. If we continue to do that, then we will remain in a strong position to grow as bitcoin becomes a more accepted means of exchange.
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This is great and spot on, thanks!
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1000 sats \ 1 reply \ @kr 19 Mar
what is the most common objection you see from merchants explaining why they don’t want to be paid in Bitcoin?
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Honestly, we focus a lot on direct sales, and all our inbound is from folks who get bitcoin and understand the store of value aspect and want to accept it as payment. So we don't get a lot of push-back from a sales perspective.
But the biggest questions we get are probably around accounting and taxes.
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There are a bunch of interview questions, be prepared! 🙏
  1. How did you adopted the name zaprite? Any story or any assistance?
  2. What inspires you the most in Zaprite?
  3. How many hours a day you work specifically for zaprite?
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I'll answer #2:
It's extremely satisfying to be a part of people's journey to stack sats. Previously, my favorite product I had ever built was the trading feature at Unchained Capital. Helping people stack sats directly to cold storage with keys that they control.
Zaprite helps you do the same. Stack sats directly to a wallet of your choice. Often times that is directly to cold storage with keys you control. I wanted that for a decade before being able to build the products to encourage that behavior.
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Sounds great that you wanna motivate others with your creation. Very nice! Thanks for the reply.
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  1. See this previous answer: #227586
  2. I'm extremely lucky to have found bitcoin and be part of the journey. Being able to work directly in the industry is a blessing. And with Zaprite, I truly believe we are providing tools that will increase bitcoin adoption around and that's where I get my daily inspiration.
  3. As much as I can! :)
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As much as, that means you are fully commited to your vision. Thanks for your answers. I have just had a look at your product and it is very good.
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Thank you!
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wen nostr
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An integration with nostr? What would you like to see on that front?
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Nostr Login and the Nostr contact list would be cool.
I'd almost like to see a zaprite wallet that could properly track my incoming and outgoing zaps, although its probably a selfish request, and I think Clams might be working on something that's more along those lines.
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Yes, I think nostr login makes sense. And we do plan on expanding the functionality of our Contacts section. Adding a Contact's npub would be cool, and that would give us added options like nostr DMs for payment notifications, and encryption of public Invoice URLs.
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Are you checking nostr replies too? Or just here?
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I'm following the post on Nostr for any questions.
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Are these two your lightning nodes?
and
Asking because that second one doesn't have any owner info and might be someone else pretending to be you for the connections.
Interested in opening a channel to Zap-O-Matic for more routing connections? :)
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These are both ours, but only used for internal testing and not part of our production infrastructure.
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How do you look at SN AMA as a marketing campaign? Do you believe that this is more effective than traditional marketing campaigns such as doing google ads or FB marketing?
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We haven't done traditional marketing campaigns yet, so I don't have much to compare.
But SN is awesome because it's bitcoiners, and the feedback is raw and real. This AMA has been great so far.
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @OT 19 Mar
Any plans to do your own point of sale device?
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This has been asked earlier. It's more of an invoicing solution this time, not a POS solution.
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Having the word "lightning" below bitcoin and above credit card implies that they are different assets. I've seen 2 different YouTubers think that lightning was some other crypto.
Maybe y'all can't change that misunderstanding alone but consider maybe a Bitcoin button that then gives the option for on chain or lightning.
With that said, my question is, do you think it's a problem worth addressing?
Can I have and/or pay for subscriptions on Zaprite?