The bitcoin boom of 2017 brought cryptocurrencies into the mainstream – but they offer more than just a quick buck for tech-savvy investors. From sex workers to vegans to LGBTQ individuals, the underpinning tech is helping marginalised groups break free from traditional financial authorities.

As interest in cryptocurrencies continues to grow, some cafés in India are offering crypto vouchers to customers along with their cup of coffee. But experts worry that the average person is still unaware of the risks that accompany Bitcoin investment, and they're getting caught up in the hype.

An emerging group of consumers, known as early adopters, are helping brands gain traction in the mainstream market. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Ozgur Dedehayir, research fellow at the QUT Business School of Management in Australia, to ask how businesses can effectively engage with this demographic.

For many major banks, cryptocurrencies used to represent a financial experiment in its infancy. Now, they've become too lucrative to ignore. With trust in traditional institutions low, some banks are hoping that digital innovations will rebuild confidence and increase efficiency.