The Future of Finance Is Seamless: Neil Bergquist’s Vision for Mainstream Crypto
The best technology disappears. Email clients don’t announce “SMTP protocol engaged” when sending messages. Uber doesn’t require understanding TCP/IP to request rides. Similarly, Neil Bergquist believes the ultimate success of cryptocurrency will be measured not by how much people think about blockchain, but by how little they need to. The CEO and co-founder of Coinme has spent over a decade building infrastructure that makes crypto adoption seamless and frictionless to end users.
The vision became tangible in May 2025 with Exodus XO Pay, powered by Coinme’s infrastructure. Users can now buy Bitcoin and Ethereum directly within their familiar wallet interface—no redirects, no separate accounts, no blockchain jargon. What looks like a simple “buy crypto” button represents years of complex infrastructure development designed to hide cryptocurrency’s technical complexity from mainstream users.
Vision Statement: Crypto Integration Without Crypto Complexity
Bergquist’s philosophy centers on removing barriers that prevent ordinary people from using digital assets. Most crypto applications today require users to understand wallet addresses, private keys, gas fees, and blockchain confirmations. These technical concepts create friction that limits adoption to enthusiasts willing to navigate complexity.
“People who maybe don’t care about crypto will be using crypto and blockchain technology, and it might not be terribly obvious,” Bergquist explained in describing his vision for mainstream adoption. The goal is integration so seamless that users benefit from cryptocurrency’s advantages without needing to understand its mechanics.
This approach mirrors how successful technologies achieve mass adoption. Most internet users never think about HTTP protocols when browsing websites. Credit card users don’t consider payment processing networks when making purchases. Successful crypto adoption will follow similar patterns, with complex infrastructure hidden behind intuitive interfaces.
Current Reality: Friction Points Preventing Mainstream Adoption
Despite over a decade of development, cryptocurrency remains challenging for average users. Purchasing digital assets typically requires creating accounts on specialized exchanges, completing identity verification processes, learning unfamiliar terminology, and managing private keys. Many potential users abandon the process before completing their first transaction.
“We just want to make bitcoin accessible,” Bergquist says. “A lot of people hear about it at the Thanksgiving table, but that doesn’t mean they can go buy it right then and there. You need to have a way to access, to be able to buy it.”
Cross-border payments illustrate the friction problem. While cryptocurrency can theoretically enable fast, cheap international transfers, most users find traditional wire transfers easier despite higher costs and slower settlement times. The technical complexity of crypto payments outweighs their economic advantages for mainstream users.
Bergquist’s Solution: Infrastructure That Makes Crypto Frictionless
Coinme’s approach focuses on building infrastructure that handles complexity behind the scenes while presenting familiar interfaces to users. The company’s Crypto-as-a-Service platform provides payment processing, regulatory compliance, custody solutions, and fraud prevention—all the components needed for crypto applications without requiring partners to understand blockchain technology.
“We’re a platform that provides crypto infrastructure,” Bergquist explains. “That infrastructure is the ability to create an account and conduct KYC, so that Coinme and our partners can be compliant with various state and federal regulations.”
The modular approach allows partners to integrate specific crypto capabilities without building comprehensive blockchain expertise. A gaming company can offer token rewards using familiar payment interfaces. A loyalty program can distribute blockchain-based points that users redeem like traditional rewards. A remittance service can offer crypto-powered transfers that feel like conventional money transfers.
Exodus Example: Native Purchasing Without Leaving Familiar Interface
XO Pay demonstrates seamless crypto integration in practice. Exodus users can purchase cryptocurrency using debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay—payment methods they already understand. The interface looks and feels like any e-commerce checkout process, with crypto complexity handled entirely by Coinme’s infrastructure.
“By creating a Web2 checkout experience into a Web3 self-custody wallet, Exodus has set a new bar for crypto user experience,” Bergquist noted when XO Pay launched. Users benefit from self-custody and blockchain technology without needing to understand either concept.
Market Applications: Gaming, Loyalty, International Payments
Underlying crypto integration enables applications across multiple industries. Gaming companies can offer players real ownership of virtual assets without explaining NFTs or blockchain mechanics. Loyalty programs can provide interoperable rewards that work across multiple brands without users understanding tokenization. International businesses can offer fast, cheap cross-border payments without customers learning about stablecoins or blockchain settlement.
Scaling Strategy: API-First Approach Enables Rapid Deployment
Coinme’s API-first infrastructure enables rapid scaling across different use cases and industries. Partners can integrate crypto capabilities in weeks rather than years, focusing on user experience while Coinme handles technical complexity. This approach accelerates mainstream adoption by allowing companies to experiment with crypto applications without major infrastructure investments.
The ultimate measure of success will be crypto applications so seamless that users don’t realize they’re using blockchain technology—infrastructure that simply works, invisibly powering better financial experiences.
