TextCoin.co.uk - Purchase BTC with SMS

[WARlrus]

Ever wanted a quick and easy way of purchasing BitCoins using nothing more than your phone? Now you can!

TextCoin.co.uk offers a simple and fast gateway that uses premium-rate SMS messages in order to purchase BitCoins from your phone. The transactions are usually complete within about 30 seconds, and the coins are instantly transferred to you - no hassle!

Unfortunately the service is only available on the UK mobile phone network at the moment, however hopefully this should be expanding very soon.

Give it a go - you'll be amazed at how quick and simple it is!

[1714094410]

1714094410

[spruce]

This looks nifty. Could you give a few more details of how it works for people (like me) who aren't familiar with premium SMS services?

[WARlrus]

Basically - once you've selected how many coins you want to buy, you are redirected to a page telling you to text a confirmation code to a number - the page will look similar to this: http://textcoin.co.uk/misc/gateway.png

Once you send this message, your mobile will be debited the amount shown (whether this be off a pre-paid Pay as you Go contract, or by placing it on to your monthly bill), and the website will re-directed you back to TextCoin. Once your payment is confirmed (takes about 30 seconds), then your coins are instantly sent to the address you provided.

Simple really!

[bluefirecorp]

Any chance of implementing premium rate numbers to call (land line?)?

~bluefirecorp

[WARlrus]

Any chance of implementing premium rate numbers to call (land line?)?

This is something I did look into - sadly the current gateway I'm using doesn't support land line numbers, but I'm looking into alternatives that will give the option of SMS or phone call (mobile/land line)

[WiseOldOwl]

Sounds like a good idea. Are you sure no charges can be reversed?
I would be interested in implementing this too if it is safe.

[spruce]

Basically - once you've selected how many coins you want to buy, you are redirected to a page telling you to text a confirmation code to a number - the page will look similar to this: http://textcoin.co.uk/misc/gateway.png

Once you send this message, your mobile will be debited the amount shown (whether this be off a pre-paid Pay as you Go contract, or by placing it on to your monthly bill), and the website will re-directed you back to TextCoin. Once your payment is confirmed (takes about 30 seconds), then your coins are instantly sent to the address you provided.

Simple really!

Thanks very much for the details. I did it on my UK mobile and it worked just fine with a normal bitcoin credit appearing instantly in my bitcoin wallet. That's really neat!

You might want to make the link to Textcoin in your opening post clickable.

[zerokwel]

I like It
EDIT

just checked to see if it works.. and well it was instant. coins are showing

[WARlrus]

Thanks for the feedback!

The service is entirely unreversible - even if you don't pay your mobile bill your provider will make good on any outstanding charges, and if you have no credit to pay then it'll be refused.

Because of this - the payment can be instant.

I'm considering offering a merchant API for other people to implement a similar idea - anyone interested?

Glad you like the service - please spread the word and help it grow!

[zerokwel]

TextCoin

Sorry, the TextCoin server is currently unavailable. Please try back again soon





NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


FIX IT

[WARlrus]

Due to unprecedented demand - the server has run out of coins! I'll try to add some more soon, but I'm currently away on holiday so can't do much about it!

[WARlrus]

Site is now back up, sorry about that! Hopefully it'll last a bit longer before running out of coins this time!

[zerokwel]

no worries its a new site and for people that well don't pay a phone bill but have a £50 a month personal usage its fantastic..

[Serith]

Ever wanted a quick and easy way of purchasing BitCoins using nothing more than your phone? Now you can!

TextCoin.co.uk offers a simple and fast gateway that uses premium-rate SMS messages in order to purchase BitCoins from your phone. The transactions are usually complete within about 30 seconds, and the coins are instantly transferred to you - no hassle!

Unfortunately the service is only available on the UK mobile phone network at the moment, however hopefully this should be expanding very soon.

Give it a go - you'll be amazed at how quick and simple it is!

OMG this is brilliant, for the last couple days i was pondering about how hard it is for an average person to bring money into bitcoin economy and that it could be even a long term threat to bitcoin, God save SMS.

[zerokwel]

empty again

Glad your getting loads of demand tho

[WARlrus]

empty again

Glad your getting loads of demand tho

Back again!

[Serith]

empty again

Glad your getting loads of demand tho

Back again!

and it empty again lol, it takes no more then two hours to deplete the stock, did you underestimate the market?

[Dansker]

We need a service like this in every country.

[spruce]

We need a service like this in every country.

Or lots of them, with competing prices.

[dacoinminster]

If I were you, I'd charge a bit more for this service until demand calms down.