Budget airline easyJet’s founder is elbowing into crypto with the launch of the easyBitcoin app.
The new app is the result of a brand licensing deal with Uphold, the crypto exchange, and adds to the some 350 brands found under the easyGroup’s umbrella, including gyms, coffee shops, and waste disposal firms.
With easyBitcoin, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyGroup, says he wants to bring Bitcoin trading to the people.
“For too long, investing in Bitcoin has felt like an exclusive club, out of reach for the general public with very high transaction costs,” Haji-Ioannou said in a comment shared with DL News.
The app will enable users to buy Bitcoin and earn rewards on their investments. EasyGroup announced the US launch of the app on Monday, and said that a UK launch is slotted for some time later in 2025.
Yet, Haji-Ioannou is wading into an increasingly busy space.
Industry-native firms like Coinbase and Kraken have provided crypto–trading services for years.
Having been emboldened by the Trump administration’s pro-crypto tilt, both Wall Street heavyweights and fintech firms are actively adding new services to compete with those of crypto companies. This will see easyBitcoin go up against the likes of Robinhood, Revolut, and PayPal.
The bullishness about US President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto policies catapulted Bitcoin to a record high of $124,128 in August. The uncertainty around the White House’s tariff war has, however, punctured the rally. Bitcoin has slid almost 10% from its all-time high.
Simon McLoughlin, CEO of Uphold, says that easyBitcoin’s rewards system will prove “the perfect draw for that huge segment of the population that has become aware of Bitcoin, but yet to take the plunge.”
The rewards include a 1% welcome bonus and a 4.5% annual percentage yield on USD balances.
“This isn’t just about technology; it’s about financial empowerment and making Bitcoin a practical investment option for all,” Haji-Ioannou said.
Eric Johansson is DL News’ interim managing editor. Got a tip? Email at eric@dlnews.com.
