Will Wu champions QR code crypto use

In Southeast Asia, where mobile payments are already common, QR-based crypto transactions are quietly being added to the mix.

"Bitget Wallet is the wallet that you can do the trade, earn, pay and also the shop together in one wallet," Will Wu, Head of Growth at Bitget Wallet, told The Crypto Radio at Philippine Blockchain Week.

Wu shared how the company is turning crypto from a speculative asset into a practical payment tool – one that can be used at street stalls, cafés, or online stores with nothing more than a QR code.

What is Bitget Wallet?

In Vietnam, where PayFi recently launched, transactions take just 20 to 30 seconds – a speed comparable to traditional payment systems. “When people see it and use it, they will feel really convenient,” Wu said.

But Bitget Wallet isn’t just for payments. For seasoned crypto traders, its Alpha trading feature provides market signals, which Wu said can generate returns ranging from 10x to 100x. This all-in-one design reflects Bitget Wallet’s ambition to cover a wide range of crypto activities under one roof.

Rather than applying a uniform strategy across regions, the company is focusing on tailoring its services to local conditions. “We need to work with local vendors, enable a QR system, see which vendors can cover this, work with vendors, do product developments, and then do market expansions,” Wu explained.

This means each regional rollout looks different. In China, where crypto knowledge is relatively high, the company can focus on advanced features. In other markets, where many users are still rooted in centralized finance (CeFi), the company faces a different challenge: education.

“For several markets like Africa, LATAM, lots of users are still pretty CeFi-focused, so you need to educate them about what is DeFi, what does decentralization look like,” Wu said.

To meet these varying needs, Bitget Wallet is developing a “simple mode,” designed as a light, exchange-like interface to help less experienced users get started. “If it’s early, then we see like we’re also developing something like simple mode… it’s easier to enter,” Wu explained.

Beyond airdrops: building real engagement

The Crypto Radio's Urian Buenconsejo talks to Bitget Wallet's Will Wu about international payments

While many crypto platforms have relied on airdrops to attract users, Wu sees their limitations. “If you do the normal airdrop, users just get the reward and leave the platforms,” he said. Instead, Bitget Wallet is focusing on features like PayFi that integrate crypto into everyday life.

In places like Vietnam and the Philippines, small businesses have already begun accepting crypto payments through Bitget Wallet. For customers, this offers a new payment option; for merchants, it provides a way to tap into the growing crypto economy without needing specialized infrastructure.

Wu summed up the company’s philosophy simply: “We’re trying to see what each market needs, and if there are any unmet needs.”

What’s next for Bitget Wallet?

In a competitive space, the company’s combination of trading, payments, and merchant integration sets it apart. While wallets like MetaMask and Trust Wallet focus on self-custody and DeFi access, Bitget Wallet is betting on a more integrated model, especially in mobile-first regions.

For those curious to get involved, Wu suggests trying the PayFi feature if you’re in Vietnam or the Philippines, or exploring Alpha trading signals for more advanced interactions.

As cryptocurrency continues its shift from niche investment to mainstream tool, companies like Bitget Wallet are focusing on what makes local markets tick. By providing tailored products, engaging vendors, and focusing on real-world usability, they’re offering a glimpse into how digital money might fit into daily life – not just as a speculative asset, but as a tool people can actually use.

In Southeast Asia, the growth of QR-based crypto payments suggests that utility – not hype – may be the key to adoption.