European payment processor Cashila operates an online platform that enables users to transfer, hold and receive funds using bitcoin or euros. It exchanges bitcoins to euros and sends money to the bank account of the invoicee.

Founded in 2014, Cashila so far processed over 3.4 million euros via its platform and is currently the only fully licensed euro and bitcoin payment processor. It actively engages in new partnerships and integrates new features in order to improve user experience:

• In November 2015, it introduced the Reverse Cashila Feature – a Euro-to-Bitcoin payroll system that enables employees to receive paycheck in bitcoin.
   
• Earlier this year, Cashila, in collaboration with SOFORT Banking, launched a new feature that allows users to make real-time deposits.
   
• It also announced its integration into Mycelium wallet in order to enable smoother SEPA payments directly from the app.
   
• In April 2016, Cashila has partnered with Bitnik Reload, a Slovenian bitcoin service that will automatically re-buy all the bitcoin a user spends at Cashila from the exchange they prefer.

In May 2016, Cashila launched ICONOMI – an all-around service enabling expert investors and newcomers to buy, sell and store ether. The platform aims to become a single point of entry for investments into cryptocurrencies.

In an interview with EconoTimes, CTO and co-founder Jani Valjavec told us more about ICONOMI, future plans, as well as shared his views on the potential of Ethereum, The DAO and much more:

1. Cashila launched ICONOMI – a platform to buy, sell and store Ether. How did you come up with such idea?

JV: We decided to build ICONOMI because there was a clear market need for an easy entry into the Ethereum world. More precisely, there was a need to buy Ether simply and to have that Ether securely stored. Exchanges are OK for early adopters, but not for average people. With ICONOMI it is so easy to operate. You sign up, send money, and then buy ETH with a single click at a fixed price that we guarantee to you. At that time, your ETH is also securely stored with us. We build a contract that lives in the Ethereum blockchain and is keeping funds safe. Being the safest place to store ETH is very important.

2. What are your targets and growth expectations for the platform in 2016?

JV: We'll grow at around 30-50% month to month. And launch week was already a big one. By time we'll be adding more interesting assets and support for multiple fiat currencies. We'll let you know a few days in advance before adding new.

3. Ethereum’s market cap has once again surpassed the $1 billion mark. What are your thoughts on the recent growth of Ethereum and do you see a possibility of Ethereum surpassing bitcoin?

JV: 1B is just one milestone. And it will go higher and surpass Bitcoin market cap. It's just a matter of time, not if it will. The trick is that Ethereum can do everything Bitcoin can and way more. Bitcoin could also run on top of Ethereum. Think how mind blowing that is by itself. Also, transactions are way faster in Ethereum and they cost about 30 times less at the moment. All this is showing us that Ethereum market cap will inevitably grow over Bitcoin one.

4. Would you like to comment on the recent success of the DAO crowdfunding drive? Are there any plans to support The DAO tokens on the platform?

JV: DAO is interesting not for the fact of how much money was raised, but what percentage of all Ether in circulation went into DAO - 15% that was. I think it is showing just how much people involved into Ethereum would like to see some projects to be built on top of Ethereum. That will also be the biggest factor for price appreciation of Ether. New, never before predicted use cases. The whole new economy will grow on top of those blockchains.

5. Bitcoin price has recently crossed the $500 mark. In your opinion, how will the bitcoin price react once the halving of bitcoin mining rewards takes place?

JV: It's a hype. If you open reddit you will see people talking and are excited only about price. About price only? Is there some development going on, is there some project that will be built on top of it? Bitcoin has problems with even small things like deciding if they want higher block size or not. Btw: Ethereum has elastic blocksize limit (actually, defined by gas consumption), so it can never ever bump into such a trivial issue as Bitcoin. I have no clue about Bitcoin price at halving. All I know is where price will go long term.

6. What other exciting announcements can we expect from you this year?

JV: Many. Stay tuned.