Furthermore, the Metal (MTL) token is specifically designed for the mobile payment space (although we do know a web based solution is in the pipeline). Users pay minimal to no fees, thanks to Metal’s proprietary patent pending system. Users also get rewards and incentives, including discounts and MTL tokens, for using the Metal platform.
Metal’s Big Features: More Than Just a Wallet
Unlike other crypto systems, Metal is a full featured banking and crypto system with US-based FDIC insured accounts that not only allows users to earn Metal tokens, but also help others earn tokens by sending peer-to-peer payments and paying for products/services.
Still, Metal is more than just an awesome app with great features that deliver unmatched user experience.
More specifically, Metal is a real business that provides an alternative to the larger fiat on/off exchanges, which means you can buy a wide range of cryptocurrencies inside the Metal app with your external bank account. What’s more, you can use the bank account inside Metal if you prefer not to use your normal bank account.
Put another way, Metal has not only built a business around merchant processing, but also offers a fully featured banking service, which is way more than what any other company in this space has done so far.
One of the main differences between Metal and similar platforms is Metal allows consumers to link their debit/credit cards to its platform in order to send money. Metal’s platform is user-friendly and pegs digital currency to fiat value to neutralize price fluctuations, which is particularly important because most people do not necessarily understand the mechanics of Bitcoin transactions. On the security front, the platform uses multi-signature technology with Bitcoin, omni layer, as well as other alternative cryptocurrencies.
Metal’s Management Team
The Metal’s management team consists of tech entrepreneurs, engineers and designers. Some of the key members of the management team include:
Marshall Hayner – Marshall Hayner is one of the co-founders and current CEO of Metal. He was one of the early Bitcoin investors. Since then, he has been playing an active role in the cyptocurrency space. For instance, he formed QuickCoin, a startup that aimed to educate people about Bitcoin, and organized the first Bitcoin Fair in San Francisco in February 2014.
Andy Goldstein – Andy Goldstein is the current COO of Metal. He has vast experience in the ecommerce digital payment space having worked with some of the big names in this space including VISA, BitPay, Inc., and First Data Corporation. Andy graduated Cum Laude from the University of California with a bachelor’s degree in Business/Economics, Law & Society. Andy obtained his certification from the CryptoCurrency Certification Consortium in 2016.
Oscar Munoz – Oscar Munoz is the CCO of Metal. From 2010 to 2017, he worked for VISA’s security department in various capacities including Director Data Security & Third Party Risk LAC. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the New York University.
What You Need to Know About Metal
Metal uses a centralized form of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) identification and payments platform to distribute cryptocurrency fairly via Proof-of-Payment (PoPP). PoPP is important for two main reasons. Firstly, it acts a provable way to identifying users and distributing new currency into the Metal platform. For identification purposes, the system will require your social security number or passport ID, your photograph, which can be either a selfie or picture of identifying documents.
In terms of the target market, Metal is essentially targeting mainstream consumers, digital currency enthusiasts and small businesses in high-risk industries that services such as Stripe and Square tend to ignore. Examples of these industries include nutraceuticals, eSports, adult and cannabis industries.
In particular, Metal offers out-of-the-box payments solutions to high-risk merchants operating legally (compliant with all the relevant state laws). Because of their high-risk status, such merchants often have a problem finding a payment processor because traditional processors tend to reject these merchants to avoid stigma. Other industries that would benefit from using Metal include cash intensive small businesses such as bars and restaurants, as well as the nascent DAO/DAPP economy.
Is Metal Safe? Recent Attacks on Cryptocurrency
In July 2017, hackers exploited a flaw in the Parity Ethereum wallet and stole over 153,000 Ether worth over $30 million. However, this multi-sig wallet hack did not affect Metal, thanks to Metal’s proprietary anti-money-laundering (AML) and anti-fraud technology. In other words, Metal takes all the necessary precautions to protect its clients from cyber criminals, including hackers. Moreover, hardware wallets such as Trezor, Ledger and Keepkey can offer your Ethereum and ERC20 coins extra protection.
Meet Some of Their Advisors & Investors
Some of Metal’s main advisors include:
Bram Cohen – Bram Cohen is a renowned computer programmer and author of popular computer programs including BitTorrent and the peer-to-peer (P2P) BitTorrent protocol.
Vinny Lingham – Vinny Lingham is the co-founder & CEO of Civic.com. Additionally, he is a one of the investors on “the Shark Tank South Africa” reality show.
Juan Llanos – Juan Llanos is an authority in the fintech space and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
Some of Metal’s main investors include:
Erik Voorhees – Erik Voorhees has shares in various Bitcoin-related businesses including Coinpult, ShapeShift.io and SatoshiDice. Erick has also served as Director of Marketing at BitInstant.
Ben Nguyen Tang Le – Ben Nguyen Tang Le is currently the senior portfolio specialist at CBRE // McKesson.
How to Purchase and Invest in Metal
You can purchase $MTL from any of the leading Bitcoin and Ethereum exchanges such as Bittrex, Poloniex, QuadrigaCX, Bithumb and CHBTC, among others. While Metal is a speculative investment, it is a sound investment because of its unique service offerings and target market. Moreover, the company’s management team, advisors and investors have a lot of knowledge and expertise in the digital currency and ecommerce space.
To protect your MTL tokens from cyber criminals, it’s a good idea to store in secure crypto wallets such as Trezor, Ledger Nano S, and Keepkey.
Metal Coins & Tokens: Doing Your Own Research
Of course, you should do adequate independent research before you invest in a particular crypto currency. Some great online research resources for MTL include:
Slack Channel:http://metalpay.chat
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/metalpaysme/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MetalPay/
Metal: Making the Switch to Crypto
Meta is a user-friendly mobile application that rewards users for converting fiat currency into digital currency (cryptocurrency). Moreover, the platform rewards users for sending money through the platform.
Metal is paving the way for real world applications and ease of use for cryptocurrencies for anyone by developing out-of-the-box solutions for unbanked individuals, high-risk businesses and cash intensive small businesses. Overall, Metal’s management team, advisors and investors have a wealth of knowledge in the cryptocurrency space which makes us give it a thumbs-up.
Disclosure: Author of this post holds $MTL tokens at the time this review was published.
