Despite being a known volatile asset, cryptocurrencies are still a leading financial diversifier that continues to draw massive interest. A Security.org survey estimates that up to 93 million Americans own crypto in 2024. As further proof that these digital currencies are becoming more mainstream, even highly publicized events are seeing crypto-related penetration. To illustrate, the 2022 Super Bowl featured several million-dollar commercial slots that were taken by crypto entities.
With this data in mind, many analysts estimate that crypto trading numbers will only continue to rise from here on out. In anticipation of how this will make the market more competitive and fast-paced, many current traders are turning to tech innovations that can give them an edge.
One such technology that’s primed to reimagine crypto trading is smart glasses. Although a relatively new form of wearable tech, this form of eyewear promises impressive advantages across industries, including trading.
A Look at the Smart Glasses Landscape
Compared to a few decades ago, when smart glasses were deemed too bulky, unstylish, and limited in terms of functionality, these innovations are now more mainstream than ever before. This is largely thanks to the efforts of tech titans and eyewear experts who began to pay more attention to functionality and fashion.
Among the most successful in this endeavor is popular eyewear creator Ray-Ban. Through the years, the brand has made a name for itself due to its iconic eyeglass frames. As seen on retailer Target Optical, even older silhouettes like its browline and panthos remain best sellers. This is due to its durable make and timeless style. Aside from this, Ray-Ban is also recognized for consistently embracing innovation. Just recently, it released the Reverse collection, which featured classic styles with a new twist. Instead of regular lenses, these ones transitioned from convex to concave to better hug the cheekbones. In terms of smart glasses, the eyewear brand took this drive to innovate by partnering with Meta in 2021. As of this year, the two have already released the next generation of their smart glasses, which now use AI. Using a voice prompt, users can ask the AI to provide relevant information and real-time updates on a variety of topics. This represents a growing trend in smart wearables, wherein virtual assistants are a staple.
Additionally, another direction that smart glasses today are taking is to be more compatible with existing devices like smartphones. Considered a means to better improve relevance and usability, these “companion glasses” are being helmed by brands like Qualcomm and Samsung. Since nine in 10 Americans own a smartphone, this means that smart specs are now easier to familiarize with and sync with other applications. Designed to provide a mixed-reality experience with AR, these glasses satisfy the current consumer demand for more intuitive, immersive, and seamless technology.
How Smart Glasses Could Reshape Crypto Trading
For starters, the aforementioned virtual assistants can supply the latest crypto information culled from various online sources. This is particularly helpful given that cryptocurrency values are notoriously prone to sudden fluctuations. For instance, most traders will recall how, a few years ago, a series of seemingly harmless tweets from billionaire Elon Musk sent Bitcoin stocks soaring and then tumbling.
Furthermore, while the blockchain upon which crypto works is decentralized, regulatory changes are dramatically impacting the landscape. The last few years have seen the introduction of regulations like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines on transparency and mandatory audits. With smart glasses, traders can simply ask their smart glasses’ AI to provide them with the newest prices, trends, and regulatory changes so they don’t have to manually search for this information themselves. This allows for more timely and accurate adjustments and movements. In fact, this is something that smart glasses maker Lucyd, which is available online through sites like Amazon, highlights among their benefits.
In addition, since smart glasses also use AR, traders can simulate trading floor interactions virtually anywhere. This is a valuable perk for traders who are more visual since smart glasses can literally provide them with an overlay displaying relevant data. For instance, a crypto trader can use smart glasses to view charts that may make it easier to spot and understand key trends and patterns. In fact, Forbes noted that some traders used Microsoft’s HoloLens to emulate physical trading floors during the lockdowns.
Lastly, since smart glasses can also field calls and messages, they can help ensure that essential communications are not missed. Makers like Ray-Ban even support video calls, which can help facilitate trades from almost anywhere at any time without sacrificing clarity or accuracy. This is particularly important for crypto traders who may be part of a team or in charge of large investments that require regular follow-ups.