2022 has started out with a noticeable lack of love for cryptocurrency investors, but the standing consensus among the cryptocurrency Brain Trust is that digital assets _will_ continue to draw new investment dollars this year, despite having to weather the current volatility.

Halfway through January, and already there are some newsworthy events to suggest that 2022 will be another wild ride.

## Wal-Mart Files Paperwork Signaling Expansion into Crypto and NFTs

The world’s second largest retailer (behind Amazon) has apparently seen enough, and now mega-force, Wal-Mart, wants in on the crypto-craze after watching how remarkably well digital assets performed in 2021.  Wal-Mart has already [submitted formal applications](https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=97197301&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch) with the US Patent office for selling virtual goods, and another filing suggests that the retailer wants to begin offering Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) as well. 

NFTs are perhaps the biggest juggernauts to come out of the digital assets market in 2021.  While an NFT isn’t entirely the same as a cryptocurrency, they share many characteristics.  The key distinction is that NFTs are _non-fungible_ tokens, whereas cryptocurrencies are.  Fungible simply means “tradeable.” 

Based on a review of the patent office filings, Wal-Mart has been putting an extensive amount of time and considerable resources into preparing for their inevitable expansion into the digital assets market.

They’re not alone.  Given the growing popularity of the metaverse, and since Facebook announced a rebranding to “[Meta](/news/article/facebook-metaverse-nft/),” signaling their intention to expand into the metaverse, there has been a “gold rush” of sorts among many major brands to adopt their own forms of crypto-currencies, NFTs, or both.

## Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, Pumps Dogecoin with (another) Tweet

Is it a move to pump the market?  Who’s to know for sure, but after weeks of suggesting the possibility, Tesla’s celebrity CEO, Elon Musk, officially announced that the all-electric car maker would begin accepting the cryptocurrency [Dogecoin](/coins/doge) for Tesla branded merchandise.  The announcement was made [via Musk’s Twitter account](https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1481873421390680065) on Jan. 14th.

It’s been a remarkable journey for the cryptocurrency that was originally launched as a mockery.  Most crypto enthusiasts know well enough by now that favourable news like this can be announced for the sole purpose of _pumping_ the value of digital assets like Dogecoin.  In this case, the Tesla CEO’s Twitter announcement sent Dogecoin skyward, but only momentarily.  Dogecoin shot up from .17 cents per coin up to .20, but then fell back to pre-announcement levels within 72 hours.

## Arkansas offering Bitcoin and a Bicycle to Young Tech Talent

If living in the US ever had any appeal, then the state of Arkansas might be worth checking out.  In addition to being the only state in America with [an active diamond mine](https://www.thetravel.com/finding-a-diamond-at-crater-of-diamonds/) that the public can visit, the [Northwest Arkansas Council (NAC)](https://nwacouncil.org/), in collaboration with the southern state’s major employers, is offering remote employees an incentive that includes $10,000 in bitcoin…_if_ you’re willing to relocate to the state.

Thousands of prospects have already submitted their interest.  Conditions are that you must be 24 years old and have at least two years of work experience.  The only ostensible catch is you need to “set up shop” within six months of being accepted and willing to sign a one-year lease or buy a home in the Arkansas area.

“This move was designed to attract more participants in blockchain technologies to help build up the region’s tech economy," says NAC Communications Director, Nate Green.

Wal-Mart, Tesla Lead Early 2022 Crypto Headlines

Retail giant [Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/) announces plans to roll out 200 Bitcoin ATMs across their United States stores.

Walmart plans to install Bitcoin ATMs across 200 of their stores allowing customers to exchange physical cash for bitcoin.

Working in partnership with ATM manufacturer Coinstar and crypto wallet Coinme, Walmart aim to speed crypto adoption and make it easier for the public to purchase bitcoin with physical cash, lowering the barrier to crypto entry.

Director of Communications at Walmart Molly Blakeman said: ‘Coinstar, in partnership with Coinme, have launched a pilot that allows its customers to use cash to purchase bitcoin. There are 200 Coinstar kiosks located inside Walmart stores across the United States that are part of this pilot.’

With 25,000 terminals already installed across the US, Bitcoin ATMs are nothing new, however many view Walmart’s involvement as an encouraging signal for widespread crypto adoption, especially for those in the lower income bracket.

## Coinme

Coinme describe themselves as a bitcoin wallet provider making it ‘easy to purchase bitcoin at participating Coinstar and Moneygram locations’.

Users simply have to download the wallet app for iOS or Android, create an account and verify their identity before finding a physical location to purchase their bitcoin. The simple to use mobile application will appeal to those who are put off buying crypto through complicated centralised exchanges.

## Coinstar

Coinstar is an established American owned ‘coin-cashing machine company’ which was founded in 1991 and taken over by Apollo Global Management in 2016. Its primary business model focuses on the conversion of loose change into paper currency, donations and gift cards via their coin-counter kiosks. Branching into cryptocurrency seems like the logical next step.

The purchase process has been designed to be accessible and simple.

Bitcoin buyers simply insert physical money into the coin-counter kiosk, state how much bitcoin they would like to buy and receive a voucher with a unique redemption code. Purchasers then redeem their bitcoin by logging in to their Coinme wallet and inputting the specified code.

The initial pilot is for 200 Bitcoin ATMs through Walmart’s biggest stores with plans for a further 8,000 to be rolled out if the pilot proves popular.

However, many people were quick to criticise the high fees involved with the ATMs. With 4% added as a ‘trade fee’ and a further 7% added as a ‘cash transaction fee’ many people labelled the ATMs a ‘rip off’.

Whether the Bitcoin ATMs prove to be a hit remains to be seen, however what the pilot clearly shows is that retail giants such as Walmart have a strong interest in providing crypto accessibility to all corners of society.

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Wal-Mart, Tesla Lead Early 2022 Crypto Headlines

Bitcoin ATMs to be Rolled Out by Walmart