Digital Transactions Authoritative, insightful and timely information for payments professionals
A breach Jan. 4 at Bitcoin exchange Bitstamp resulted in the loss of approximately $5.2 million worth of the digital currency and caused the exchange to shut down while it sorts out the after-effects. That’s according to notes posted to Bitstamp’s Web site Monday and Tuesday. The breach targeted one …
Read More »Bitcoin Enjoys Steady Growth, But Experts Ask Where the Case Is for Consumer Use
Since 2012, investors have poured $407 million into Bitcoin startups, with three-quarters of that sum flowing into the cryptocurrency just this year, according to figures compiled by CoinDesk, a Bitcoin newsletter. But now at least one expert is expressing doubts that these investors will see much of a return—if any—on …
Read More »While Bitcoin Spending Fell Short, Overstock’s Byrne Remains Bullish for the Future
When it comes to Bitcoin, no major merchant has more experience with the digital currency than e-commerce giant Overstock.com, which has been accepting it since Jan. 9. Now, with nearly a year of experience under its belt, the retailer will close out 2014 with about $3 million in Bitcoin sales, …
Read More »Though Under a Cloud of Doubts, Bitcoin Marches Past 100,000 Mark in Daily Transactions
While governments and established payments networks around the world reckon with Bitcoin, the upstart digital currency has itself had to reckon this year with volatility that has seen its price plunge about 50% since its $700-plus January high. But in other respects, Bitcoin is riding high. One of the latest …
Read More »Commentators Want New York’s BitLicense To Be Clear and Ensure a Level Playing Field
More than 3,700 individuals, groups, and companies have submitted comments regarding New York State’s novel proposal to regulate virtual currencies. A Digital Transactions News sampling of comments from payments organizations about the so-called “BitLicense” shows they want more clarity in definitions and exemptions from some proposed licensing requirements. New York’s …
Read More »Bitcoin Acceptance: Growing Fast, but Still a Niche for Merchant Acquirers
Once perceived as a payment method for drug dealers and shady merchants craving anonymity, the Bitcoin virtual currency is now accepted at approximately 75,000 merchants worldwide, and their numbers are growing fast, according to a new report by First Annapolis Consulting Inc. Even so, it will be a while before …
Read More »Coinbase Adds Tip Mechanism for Bitcoin Micropayments
Bitcoin wallet provider Coinbase has launched a “tip” button to enable Coinbase users to make micropayments to Web-site owners. San Francisco-based Coinbase says the button can be used to make one-click payments. The default amount is 300 bits, or about 10 cents this week. Senders can choose other amounts, …
Read More »The U.S. Marshals Service Plans Its Second Bitcoin Auction, This One Worth $19.2 Million
The U.S. Marshals Service held its first auction of bitcoins in June, and now it’s planning an even bigger one for Dec. 4. Like the June 27 auction, the 50,000 bitcoins to be auctioned by sealed bid were seized in October 2013 from Ross Ulbricht, the alleged operator of the …
Read More »Airport Renovation Includes iPads Where Passengers Can Spend Airline Miles
Before the emergence of Bitcoin and other such alternative currencies, people collected and traded airline miles. Many still do, which is what United Airlines and OTG Management, an operator of restaurants in 10 North American airports, are counting on. The two companies on Monday announced holders of United frequent-flyer miles …
Read More »BitPay’s Mobile Wallet App Features One-Tap Payment
Bitcoin merchant-services provider BitPay Inc. has launched an app to enable one-tap Bitcoin payment at the point of sale. Dubbed Bitcoin Checkout, the app is available now for smart phones and tablets using Android. An iOS version is planned for Apple Inc. devices. The app, when loaded onto a smart phone …
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