Washington Post: "You can now pay with Bitcoin practically anywhere"

[the_poet]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/11/20/bitcoin-just-got-a-lot-easier-to-use/

[1714128561]

1714128561

[1714128561]

1714128561

[the_poet]

Wired: "Coinbase Just Debuted the First Bitcoin Debit Card in the US"

http://www.wired.com/2015/11/coinbase-unveils-countrys-first-bitcoin-debit-card/

[hf100]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states. The EU is discussing cracking down on virtual currencies and prepaid cards, so I doubt it's going to be offered to EU citizens. Besides, bitcoin debit cards are nothing new, a number of exchanges were already offering them but with high fees.

There is a catch: The card is currently only available to residents of Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. That's two-dozen regions in all.

[the_poet]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states.

OK, perhaps the title is a little misleading, but that's more than half the pop of the US, not just some states.

[DiamondCardz]

Well, no, you can't. The regulation is too strong in a lot of places to allow you to freely walk around using a Bitcoin debit card for every single purchase, in fact a lot of large purchases can't be made with them due to limits. This will only really be true if deregulation occurs or a lot more places accept Bitcoin directly.

[Lauda]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states. The EU is discussing cracking down on virtual currencies and prepaid cards, so I doubt it's going to be offered to EU citizens. Besides, bitcoin debit cards are nothing new, a number of exchanges were already offering them but with high fees.
-snip-

There's not much really that they can do about it. This is just the manipulation coming from both the ones who control the governments and media. This could be added to the list of attempts to kill Bitcoin, so nothing surprising there. However, Bitcoin still needs more merchant adoption if you ask me. You can pay practically anywhere with a Debit card, but not with just Bitcoins and there's a difference there.

This will only really be true if deregulation occurs or a lot more places accept Bitcoin directly.

I concur.

[MaxTax]

The title is indeed misleading, but I guess they only think that Americans read the Washington post.

If this would ever come out worldwide, I would get it

It would come in handy because almost every store or shop accepts Visa cards

[DiamondCardz]

The title is indeed misleading, but I guess they only think that Americans read the Washington post.

If this would ever come out worldwide, I would get it

It would come in handy because almost every store or shop accepts Visa cards

Still, even in the USA it's not possible to pay with Bitcoin practically everywhere. It isn't possible for residents in every single state to acquire a Bitcoin Visa debit card due to the regulations regarding them, and even if they do they often have limits that usually don't go fully away even if you do all of the verification that you possibly can.

[Coin Republic]

With debit card from Coinbase, it means bitcoin is not anonymous any more if you use the card with the bitcoin you own.

[RustyNomad]

Well this could actually already be done since the launch of the other debit cards but I guess this is the first card to be released or to be availabel to US citizens.

From what I read it seems like this Shift plans on connecting to more wallets and not just Coinbase. Would be interesting to see with who else they partner up.

But now a company called Shift wants to make it easier to pay with bitcoins, whether you're on the Internet or off. The payments firm has rolled out a debit card that's capable of connecting to the account where you store your bitcoins, such as Coinbase.

[HostSurf]

Doesn't this make bitcoin not so anonymous anymore? I think you'd have to give up some of your info to get the Visa card. Unless it works like a Visa prepaid card.

[gentlemand]

I don't get why this is exciting or news. You can already spend bitcoin anywhere on the entire planet by selling it for local currency first.

[NorrisK]

This is actually a very nice title as the avarage joe will just read that it is now easy to use bitcoin for them.

Easy is the key word here, as people may now look into how they can start using bitcoin as it is suggested to cost little offort now.

[Pierre 2]

We see bitcoin news in mainstream media at least once a week nowadays.
I don't think it is big but it is good enough.

[unamis76]

I agree with the misleading title part. And there are many solutions like so on the market for quite a few time... Why weren't all of them news?

[OrientA]

I don't get why this is exciting or news. You can already spend bitcoin anywhere on the entire planet by selling it for local currency first.

With bitcoin credit card, you can use the bitcoin directly, without changing it to fiat first. It is very convenient for bitcoin owners. This is part of effort to make bitcoin useful for purchasing.
If there are discount or cash back (bitcoin) for card holders, it is even better.

[PAKYU]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states.

OK, perhaps the title is a little misleading, but that's more than half the pop of the US, not just some states.

exaggerate as usual to attract more readers nope. thanks for sharing this !

[target]

it helped the popularity of btc though.

[countryfree]

This isn't going to help me much, as many shops I'm going to regularly do not accept credit cards. By the way, is that card anonymous? I like the idea of BTC to fiat conversion, but it can only be useful to people who have an income in BTC. If you exchange fiat to BTC, then BTC to fiat, you lose.

[erikalui]

Anywhere?


-----------------------------

There is a catch: The card is currently only available to residents of Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. That's two-dozen regions in all.

-----------------------------

I feel that bitcoins can be used in many places in US which is good in a way but for me, I can't use bitcoins anywhere except on few apps where I can buy gift cards. But now I can see so many websites accepting bitcoin donations. Recently I completed an Indian survey which asked me about bitcoins.

[Cereberus]

It can not be accepted in other countries and not even in all of the united states
Try and use that debit card in another country. You will be denied guaranteed. 
I like how an american publication says "Everywhere" when it is only accepted in their country and not even in it's entirety. 

[gentlemand]

It can not be accepted in other countries and not even in all of the united states
Try and use that debit card in another country. You will be denied guaranteed. 
I like how an american publication says "Everywhere" when it is only accepted in their country and not even in it's entirety. 

It's a Visa card. That's accepted everywhere. What is restricted is where you can obtain it in the first place.

[Velkro]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/11/20/bitcoin-just-got-a-lot-easier-to-use/

misleading or not, big step forward in adoption

[Lionidas]

It can not be accepted in other countries and not even in all of the united states
Try and use that debit card in another country. You will be denied guaranteed. 
I like how an american publication says "Everywhere" when it is only accepted in their country and not even in it's entirety. 

It's a Visa card. That's accepted everywhere. What is restricted is where you can obtain it in the first place.

This is a prepaid visa card but for bitcoin then. Why say it is a debit card at all 

[gentlemand]

This is a prepaid visa card but for bitcoin then. Why say it is a debit card at all 

You're debiting your Bitcoin account?

[West man]

Wired: "Coinbase Just Debuted the First Bitcoin Debit Card in the US"

http://www.wired.com/2015/11/coinbase-unveils-countrys-first-bitcoin-debit-card/

I think he was referring to the one that coinbase put out as that one is a debit card.
This thread is about the Shift card which is a Visa card and not a debit card.
Why bring this news about coinbase's offering into this thread?

[Lionidas]

This is a prepaid visa card but for bitcoin then. Why say it is a debit card at all 

You're debiting your Bitcoin account?

Two completely different cards here being discussed. Sorry for that. I was talking about the debit card from coinbase and not the visa card.
I think there is another thread discussing debit cards exclusively for bitcoin.

[Cereberus]

It can not be accepted in other countries and not even in all of the united states
Try and use that debit card in another country. You will be denied guaranteed. 
I like how an american publication says "Everywhere" when it is only accepted in their country and not even in it's entirety. 

It's a Visa card. That's accepted everywhere. What is restricted is where you can obtain it in the first place.

These should be incorporated into one:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1256638.0

[Zocadas]

In this way, coinbase acts as a kind of an exchanger. You save the money or bitcoin there and exchange it. It is quite handy. But you should only use it, when you use it.Bitcoins are better stored in hardwarewallets or softwarewallets, also mind and paper wallets, where you own your private keys.

[Amph]

In this way, coinbase act as a kind of bank. You save the money there, you then use the bitcoin. It is quite handy.

it's only good because there is insurance otherwise with all the regulation and rigid rules and the tedious waiting times, it would be avoided completely

also i'm not sure how coinbase work with europe and their IRS legislation...it will not apply i think

[the_poet]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/11/20/bitcoin-just-got-a-lot-easier-to-use/

misleading or not, big step forward in adoption

Exactly. Many people here seem to forget that what's not news for them may be for the average Joes out there.

[Blue_Tiger73]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states. The EU is discussing cracking down on virtual currencies and prepaid cards, so I doubt it's going to be offered to EU citizens. Besides, bitcoin debit cards are nothing new, a number of exchanges were already offering them but with high fees.

There is a catch: The card is currently only available to residents of Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. That's two-dozen regions in all.

Yeah, that does kind of suck. It is unfortunate that the EU will probably not get the Bitcoin debit card. It is the EU and Bitcoin that will lose out, not America. I feel sorry for you.

[Mickeyb]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states. The EU is discussing cracking down on virtual currencies and prepaid cards, so I doubt it's going to be offered to EU citizens. Besides, bitcoin debit cards are nothing new, a number of exchanges were already offering them but with high fees.

There is a catch: The card is currently only available to residents of Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. That's two-dozen regions in all.

I don't know have these EU effects already taken place, but yesterday when I logged into my Coinbase, they have asked more personal informations from me even though I have already bought several times some smaller amounts with my credit card. Maybe they have already made rules stricter for Europe.

About this card, I don't see anything revolutionary about it. Bitcoin wasn't meant to be about this. But I guess that this is just a step until we won't have big adoption and until we won't be able to spend our coins everywhere. Then we won't need these kind of cards!

[Denker]

I prefer to pay direct with Bitcoin and not with another card.
I will continuing not to use coinbase.No reason for me to do so.
Let's see how long it will take them to require fees for that.

[kyrios_]

I don't get why this is exciting or news. You can already spend bitcoin anywhere on the entire planet by selling it for local currency first.

With bitcoin credit card, you can use the bitcoin directly, without changing it to fiat first. It is very convenient for bitcoin owners. This is part of effort to make bitcoin useful for purchasing.
If there are discount or cash back (bitcoin) for card holders, it is even better.

what are the fees?

[Hazir]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/11/20/bitcoin-just-got-a-lot-easier-to-use/

misleading or not, big step forward in adoption

I don't think so. It might even be step backward. Because Bitcoin 'adoption' is direct bitcoin acceptance, and not ability to pay with debit/credit card which exchange your coins to FIAT.
It may even discourage merchants from introduce real direct p2p acceptance.

[OrientA]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states. The EU is discussing cracking down on virtual currencies and prepaid cards, so I doubt it's going to be offered to EU citizens. Besides, bitcoin debit cards are nothing new, a number of exchanges were already offering them but with high fees.

What the title means that you can pay with the card anywhere in the world as long as they display the visa logo. This is very significant step in the adoption of bitcoin. Even though this card is only available in some states in the America, I believe it will be available to other states in the future. It is better to be available in a limited number of places to test its usability.

[n2004al]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/11/20/bitcoin-just-got-a-lot-easier-to-use/

First cannot be called a main post a post with only one link and without any comment on it. Everyone can find such news everywhere and put the link of the article in a main post and create a thread. But the threads are created to give thoughts. Firstly by the author of the thread which must tell him's thoughts first. The OP can tell that the news speak itself and don't needed any comment. If so why create the thread? If cannot told nothing by no one why create the thread? I can tell for example that the creation of such kind of cards is not new. Are even other providers who offer such kind of service. It is important that this card has its publicity by The Washington Post. This is the very news. As for the creation and the offer of the debit card ......

[BTCBinary]

This is great news! It a sign that biitcoin is becoming increasingly accepted. We can now consider that bitcoin is going mainstream.

[kyrios_]

This is great news! It a sign that biitcoin is becoming increasingly accepted. We can now consider that bitcoin is going mainstream.

uhh... US only does not equal mainstream.

[Amph]

This is great news! It a sign that biitcoin is becoming increasingly accepted. We can now consider that bitcoin is going mainstream.

uhh... US only does not equal mainstream.

this is true but do not forget that we don't need the entire world to accept bitcoin to have mainstream

1B people is already mainstream, imagines if 1B people put $500 or 1k in bitcoin, the value will go through the roof

[BellaBitBit]

Seems like good press.

[bitart]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states. The EU is discussing cracking down on virtual currencies and prepaid cards, so I doubt it's going to be offered to EU citizens. Besides, bitcoin debit cards are nothing new, a number of exchanges were already offering them but with high fees.

There is a catch: The card is currently only available to residents of Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. That's two-dozen regions in all.

Yeah, that does kind of suck. It is unfortunate that the EU will probably not get the Bitcoin debit card. It is the EU and Bitcoin that will lose out, not America. I feel sorry for you.

EU can apply for XAPO's card, I also have one. It's directly connected to your wallet and it only exchanges fiat if it is needed. It's not a prepaid card, it's a normal VISA debit card (and also not a credit card).
Despite of the acceptance of BTC via debit card, I also think that acceptance of BTC itself (and not about accepting the VISA debit BTC card) will spread only if merchants learn to accept BTC itself.

[ashly]

The headline is misleading. It's a bitcoin debit card only available for residents of some american states. The EU is discussing cracking down on virtual currencies and prepaid cards, so I doubt it's going to be offered to EU citizens. Besides, bitcoin debit cards are nothing new, a number of exchanges were already offering them but with high fees.

There is a catch: The card is currently only available to residents of Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. That's two-dozen regions in all.

Yes xapo pay your bills,, by using debit card,, thats why bitcoin is everywhere

[BirtRenaldsFan]

Good to know. Most already knew as far as I'm concerned, but it's really nice to still read that and continuously be reminded of that. Very good for BTC.