[2017-06-29] Bitcoin Exchanges Launch Insurance Products in Japan

[tyz]

Bitcoin Exchanges Launch Insurance Products in Japan

Two bitcoin exchanges in Japan are launching insurance products aimed at preventing losses tied to failed transactions.

According to a report from Nikkei, bitFlyer is working with Mitsui Suitomo Insurance, a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Holdings Group, which offers non-life insurance products. That product is said to be going live today.

Coincheck, another domestic bitcoin exchange, is pursuing a similar product release in conjunction with Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire Insurance.

http://www.coindesk.com/japan-bitcoin-exchanges-unveil-transaction-insurance-products/

[d5000]

That is indeed an interesting product:

the policy would cover losses for retailers that accept bitcoin in the event that a customer transaction doesn't go through due to technical problems

That seems to be aimed to the blockchain congestion problem - it has some similarities to the service BTC.com offers here.

However, I don't fully understand how the product works. If the purchase transaction does not go through and the money gets returned to the sender, then the merchant should have no obligation to send his product to the buyer. But in all other cases the transaction should go through eventually - and then only in the case of a Bitcoin price crash there would be some "loss" for the merchant.

So some more details about these products would be appreciated.