Microsoft Removes Bitcoin as Payment Option for Microsoft Store
In a blow for Bitcoin enthusiasts, Microsoft Corporation has removed the ‘Bitcoin’ payment option from its active payment instruments. The company was an early adopter, and former CEO Bill Gates had expressed his support for the cryptocurrency.
Microsoft’s decision has been confirmed through publicly posted chats with customer service representatives. The main cause of the cessation appears to be volatility and risk associated with the cryptocurrency.
Customers are still able to use Bitcoin to add money to their Microsoft account. Accounts can be used to purchase games, movies, and apps, but these funds are not usable in the Microsoft store. Furthermore, the funds are non-refundable.
Microsoft is one of the larger vendors to remove their Bitcoin payment option. Other companies like Square added Bitcoin support in 2017. However, with the substantial increases in price and volatility through the last quarter of the year, the risk for companies like Microsoft appears to have increased.
I saw that too.. Pretty interesting. One Youtuber assumed Microsoft was going to use Ripple instead.. Not sure if that was seen somewhere or just assumed.. but that would be pretty wild stuff!
Keep your eye on Ethereum, even with large sell offs (even Ripple) in the markert today on most leading crytpos, Ethereum is still going up. Maybe this will be the choice for companies going forward. Something to keep an eye on.