Peko Wan from Pundi X: Making crypto payments usable in the real world

In a space full of hype, Pundi X is quietly solving one of the most practical problems in crypto: how to pay with it.

In this episode, I spoke with Peko Wan, Chief Ecosystem Officer at Pundi X, a company that's been building crypto payment infrastructure since 2017. Their flagship product — the XPOS device — allows merchants to accept crypto like Bitcoin, USDT, and even PAXG with a familiar POS terminal interface. And unlike many Web3 projects, they’ve actually deployed hardware in the real world.

But this isn’t just about gadgets. It’s about what happens when crypto becomes spendable.

💡 Over 70% of transactions on Pundi X are made using stablecoins — a clear signal that people want the efficiency of crypto without the volatility. The most common use cases? Peer-to-peer transfers, splitting bills, and cross-border payments — especially in regions where traditional financial systems fall short.

Pundi X supports multiple blockchains, including Bitcoin Lightning, Ethereum, BNB Chain, Tron, Solana, and more. They offer merchants both options: full POS terminals or a simple QR code-based system. For users, the experience is similar to tapping a credit card — only it’s entirely crypto.

Still, the challenges are real. Crypto payments lack the seamless integrations that Web2 services like Stripe provide. Booking a consultation via Calendly and paying in USDT? Still a manual process for most. Peko acknowledged this and pointed to regulation, blockchain fragmentation, and lack of middleware as the biggest obstacles to broader adoption.

Yet Pundi X is working to bridge this. Their roadmap includes:

• Deeper Web2 integrations, especially for e-commerce
• AI-driven optimizations, such as better rate selection and fraud detection
• Support for more Layer 1 blockchains, including Solana (recently added)
• QR-based “status payment” tools for merchants without terminals
• A crypto-native loyalty system to onboard both merchants and users

When asked what inspires her, Peko pointed to Stripe — not as a competitor, but as a model of usability and integration. She believes crypto payments will follow a similar path, becoming smoother as regulations clarify and infrastructure matures.

Peko also offered a nuanced take on CBDCs. While acknowledging their efficiency, she stressed the importance of preserving individual financial freedom — something that decentralized public blockchains uniquely offer.

📌 Final message? Pundi X is hiring and open to partnerships. Especially with Web2 companies entering crypto, they want to be the bridge — not just for technology, but for user experience and trust.

If you're building in the payments space, or trying to make crypto more usable in daily life, this is a company worth watching.

Learn more: pundix.com