StrongHodl, Adopto's Telegram chatbot

Why is the launch of StrongHodl so significant?

Today marks a pivotal moment for Adopto as we automate a portion of our services, introducing a unique user experience in our industry.

Where does the name StrongHodl come from?

Originally, it was the first choice of name when my associates and I launched Adopto in 2019. We eventually opted for a simpler option. For us, this name symbolizes the last fortress, representing the community that steadfastly supports Bitcoin and its ecosystem, whether in positive moments or challenging periods.

As for the term “hodl,” it is not a typo. The origin of this word dates back to a post on the BitcoinTalk forum in December 2013 by a user. In that post, the user expressed the intention to hold onto their bitcoins despite price fluctuations and market uncertainties, accidentally using the word “hodl” instead of “hold.” This term, which has since become a meme, is now widely adopted to describe the long-term holding strategy for cryptocurrencies.

Why the profile image from the movie 300?

After reaching a peak of US$1,100 in 2013, the price of Bitcoin fell for over 20 months and even dropped below US$200. When the price finally rebounded in 2016, the community celebrated with memes inspired by the movie 300 on the Reddit forum. That's where the reference comes from.

A recap of Adopto services and what clients appreciate about us

Adopto is renowned for its personalized services, allowing individuals and businesses to buy and sell crypto without relying on online exchange platforms. Transactions occur peer-to-peer, with both coins and fiat funds transmitted directly to the client's wallet or bank account. In our jargon, we describe Adopto as an OTC desk.

User experience above all!

StrongHodl has been developed in the same spirit of peer-to-peer transactions, aiming to further simplify the lives of our clients. We sought to combine the personalized experience of Adopto services with the automation of certain processes that repeat during a transaction. For instance, getting and setting the quote price, calculating the exact amount of coins, generating the address, sending the proof of transfer (hash), etc.

What you see is what you get!

Transparency is key in the StrongHodl app. The reference price, fees, everything is clearly displayed. There are no hidden fees in the price, unlike many exchange platforms: we've addressed this point that bothered me as a user as well.

StrongHodl is not a conventional exchange platform!

Here's a quick summary of the background process:

For a purchase:

1. The user sends funds via Interac and confirms their purchase price.
2. StrongHodl notifies an Adopto agent who manually processes the order promptly.
3. Once the coins are sent, the client receives a notification with relevant transaction details.

For a sale:

1. The user sends coins to a dedicated address and confirms their selling price.
2. StrongHodl notifies an Adopto agent who manually processes the order promptly.
3. Funds are transmitted via Interac, and the client receives a notification with transaction details.

This entire process is swift, and Adopto never holds client coins or funds. Everything is transferred to the client's wallet or bank account as soon as each order is processed.

Why develop an application on Telegram instead of a web or mobile app?

For a specialized business like Adopto, where personalized services are central to our mission, the Telegram format of StrongHodl is ideal. Not only is supporting a mobile app costly, but using Telegram, with the resulting economies of scale, is reflected in the competitive rates we offer our clients.

Moreover, with the rise of “super apps” like Telegram, WhatsApp, and WeChat, where users spend most of their time, extending our services to Telegram, a platform already used for client messaging, makes sense.

What sets StrongHodl apart and makes it essential?

The application's accessibility truly stands out! While we could discuss the advantages of using StrongHodl, such as the unique text-based interaction experience or the fact that StrongHodl updates automatically without requiring user action, we prefer to let users discover these benefits themselves.

What about the security of the app?

Here are some of the many elements that have been implemented to increase Bitcoin accessibility without compromising security:

• The user's Telegram userID is linked to the client's verified account and phone number at Adopto.
• As observed in the background process, the counterparty is always executed manually by an Adopto agent, whether it's for coins or fiat. As a result, StrongHodl is not a fully automated platform, reducing the risk of phishing and hacking.
• Users can only carry out one transaction at a time, and it must be verified and completed by an agent before they can initiate a new one.

Why did we choose Bitcoin, stablecoins, Ethereum and Solana?

From 2019 to 2023, the majority of our transactions have involved BTC, stablecoins and ETH (in that order of importance). These cryptocurrencies have the most pairs and are the most traded compared to others. Focusing on these makes sense as clients can easily and cost-effectively exchange them for other altcoins on multiple exchange platforms. We also offer SOL.

Now convinced, how to access StrongHodl?

To use the application, you first need a Telegram account, then open an account with Adopto: the form takes between 5 and 10 minutes to fill out, and our compliance team reviews your file within 24 hours. Once your account is open, the access code for StrongHodl will be sent to you by email, and you'll get support for your first transaction.