We caught up with Rob McCann for an exclusive sit-down, diving deep into the sales-man behind CashtoCode. But it wasn’t just business — Rob gave us a glimpse into his world beyond the boardroom, sharing stories about his love for pool, life as a family man, and how his football-obsessed kids keep him on his toes.
About Funanga and CashtoCode
What inspired the creation of CashtoCode, and how does it fit into Funanga’s broader mission?
Imagine cash is your payment method of choice, but you want to access digital services like a dating or sports betting. It’s important that these services remain available to people who prefer cash over online banking, crypto or card.
There’s a reason people say cash is king. It is still the most universal payment method worldwide. We wanted to be a convenient solution for cash first customers, empowering them to pay for as many digital goods and services as possible.
CashtoCode is a unique solution for cash-based payments. Can you explain how it works and why it’s an attractive payment method for certain industries?
When making a purchase online or in app, users simply choose CashtoCode at the checkout as their preferred payment method. They are given a barcode which they can bring to one of the hundreds of thousands of point-of-sale locations worldwide – including petrol stations, supermarkets, newsagents. The retailer scans the code, the user hand over their payment in cash, and the transaction is complete.
The cash customer is the biggest demographic in the world. That means CashtoCode is a viable payment options for virtually any industry, but of course there are some industries and some people that use it more than others. CashtoCode is hugely attractive for anyone who values privacy and security, or simply prefers to pay in cash. It’s also great for the unbanked, because people don’t need a bank account to use it.
We see most interest in industries like gaming and dating where users naturally want to maintain their privacy or anonymity.
Focus on the Adult Industry
The adult industry faces challenges with traditional payment methods. How does CashtoCode address these specific challenges?
Chargebacks and declines are the biggest payment challenges for adult brands. Banks can decline a card transaction but cash is a different story entirely, due to its prepaid nature.
What makes CashtoCode particularly appealing for businesses in the adult industry?
Cash is just a great extra payment option. If a brand adds CashtoCode to its payment options, that’s like adding 550,000 physical payment locations to its checkout page. It’s a way of reaching a whole different demographic, of cash-first customers. It’s a great customer acquisition tool.
When adult brands look for new cash payment partners, they are thinking will these payments go through?’ Can I trust this brand?’ ‘What’s the user experience like for customers?’ They are also concerned by the prospect of fraud. A lot of other cash deposit apps can be used for money laundering, but not CashtoCode, because its vouchers have no value until the user hands over their cash, and they cannot be transferred between individuals.
How has Funanga built trust with merchants and customers in the adult market, which can often face regulatory or reputational hurdles?
The only way to build trust as a payment brand is reliability. Merchants and users are all asking ‘Does it work?’ If a user pays in cash once, and they can immediately access their chosen digital purchase, they will trust it to work again next time.
For merchants, it’s a bit more complicated. Things like chargebacks and fraud erode trust, so we built a system to eliminate these concerns. Today, CashtoCode is used and trusted by more than a thousand brands.
Many payment providers avoid adult industry clients due to risk concerns. What motivated Funanga to embrace this market?
Payment companies only avoid the adult industry because they can’t make it work. It’s too high risk, too many of their transactions are declined, it’s too much of a headache. Because we work with cash, we have a much much higher acceptance rate.
Benefits and Security
How does CashtoCode ensure privacy and discretion for end users, particularly in sensitive markets like adult content?
If a customer uses their card for an adult service, they are forever linking their bank to the service. It’s a privacy nightmare.
With cash, that’s not a problem. Customers are not required to provide bank or card details, therefore personal data can’t be swept up in a data breach like the Ashley Maddison hack.
What measures has Funanga implemented to protect against fraud and ensure compliance with industry regulations?
CashtoCode is a closed loop system where the barcode is uniquely generated and mapped to each individual customer. It’s non-transferable and thus customer paying as the same person as registered with the merchant.
Can you share any feedback from adult industry clients or customers who have adopted CashtoCode?
HubPeople recently added cash payments as a payment option for its massive100 million global user base via CashtoCode. It’s AI-driven software platform, powering some of the world’s most popular dating apps and websites, were able to unlock a new segment of dating customers whilst giving greater convenience and discretion.
Market Trends and Opportunities
The adult industry has historically been an early adopter of new technologies. How do you see CashtoCode fitting into this trend?
The adult and payment industries are both early adopters, but neither are new industries. There has always been a market for adult products and services, and a huge variety of ways to pay for them.
We like to think we connect the old and new worlds. CashtoCode is a technologically advanced product on the back end, but the user experience is more or less a traditional cash transaction.
With the rise of alternative payment methods, do you think the adult industry will continue to rely heavily on cash-based options like CashtoCode?
People have been writing off cash and predicting a cashless society for decades, but it will always have a place in our lives.
Take the emergence of crypto as a counterpoint to cash. Some adult brands will opt for crypto payments, but it’s complicated or misunderstood for many customers and lots of people innately distrust the concept of cryptocurrencies. With cash, there are no technical barriers to its use, and it is tightly controlled by governments and regulators. It’s always going to be a popular payment method among certain people and certain regions. Especially in countries where trust in banks is low.
What role does CashtoCode play in bridging the gap between digital transactions and cash-dependent users in this sector?
I think we have the best product on the market for bridging this gap. Without a service like CashtoCode, cash first or unbanked customers are locked out of many digital services entirely.
Global Reach
CashtoCode is available in multiple countries. Are there specific regions where you see higher adoption in the adult industry?
We operate globally and as mentioned earlier there are many reasons why a customer chooses to pay with CashtoCode, whether it be unbanked or simply preferring more privacy. Even in markets which are traditionally bank or card driven we see continual growth.
Partnerships and Expansion
Are there specific partnerships or collaborations within the adult industry that have been pivotal to CashtoCode’s success?
We’ve integrated with numerous PSP’s and platform providers which means for many merchants enabling CashtoCode has been quick and easy. However we also offer our own direct API.
What strategies are in place to further expand CashtoCode’s adoption in the adult market?
We continue to add new PSP’s whilst additionally expanding our retail network. Both in terms of new markets and existing.
Furthermore, our platform allows merchants to offer their own whitelabel vouchers. We provide the full fulfilment process, invoicing, and settlement of funds.
Innovation and Future Vision
How do you see CashtoCode evolving to better serve adult industry clients in the future?
We are always developing the product but arguably the most important way we evolve is by staying ahead of regulatory changes. Our merchants trust us for our decades of experience navigating difficult regulatory markets and ensuring payments still work, and customers can still access their services.
Are there any emerging technologies or payment trends that you believe will shape the future of the adult industry and how CashtoCode fits into that vision?
I think the unexpected rise of QR codes during COVID was an interesting moment for the payment sector. People became more accustomed to scanning codes on their phone and paying for services that way. We use barcodes and QR codes, and I think their use will continue to grow, and I can imagine there are some interesting new use cases we haven’t thought of yet in the adult space.
Challenges and Insights
What are the biggest challenges Funanga has faced in serving the adult industry, and how have you overcome them?
There is a misguided perception that cash carries certain risks. But by building a closed loop instant redemption platform, we have demonstrated and built trust with the industry that cash is a secure and valuable payment method to offer customers.
If you could change one misconception about payment solutions in the adult industry, what would it be?
Honestly, I’m not sure there are major misconceptions. Most people don’t care much about payments and how they work, only that they work!
Private/Personal Questions
Life Outside of Work
When you’re not busy representing Funanga, how do you like to spend your free time?
Lately, I’ve been concentrating on improving my health by eating better, drinking less alcohol, and returning to the gym to lift weights. I finally managed to bench press 100kg, a goal I couldn’t achieve in my 20s. I thought it was impossible now that I’m in my 50s.
Do you have any hobbies or passions that people might not expect?
Actually, yes! A lot of people are surprised to learn that I’m really into playing pool and snooker. There’s something about the precision, strategy, and mental focus the game requires. I love the challenge of setting up the perfect shot and out manoeuvring my opponent. I don’t play competitive matches so much nowadays. I prefer a casual game as a way to unwind and have fun with friends.
What’s a typical weekend for you when you’re not focused on work?
My weekends usually start with a morning walk in the nature reserve with my dog. Saturday afternoons are all about watching my sons play football and it’s been especially exciting this season since they’re both on the local men’s team together for the first time. When it’s not footy season, I keep busy with gardening. Sundays are a mix of getting household chores done and then winding down and relaxing.
Passions and Aspirations
If you could spend a day doing absolutely anything, what would it be?
A walk in the Lake District with my wife and our dog would be a great way to spend the day. We’d set off on a scenic trail, probably one with a mix of hills and lakeside paths, enjoying the fresh air and the views.
We’d take it at a steady pace, stopping now and then to take in the scenery or let the dog splash in a stream. The weather would ideally be cool but clear, perfect for walking without getting too warm. We would finish off at a country pub, somewhere cozy with a fireplace. A well-earned pint and some food would round off the day nicely, with the dog happily flopped at our feet, exhausted from all the running around.
Do you have a “bucket list” item you’re particularly excited about checking off?
The big one on my bucket list is an around the world cruise. Something about waking up in a different place every day. I will probably have to wait till I retire to tick this one off!
