Bitcoin Payment at a Small Shop in a Rural Area

[retreat]

When I was walking with my brother to enjoy the night atmosphere in my village, there was one thing that caught my attention when I was looking around, I found a small shop with the name "BTC Bitcoin Cell". Because I was curious, I tried to visit the shop and asked the owner a few questions. I asked the name of the shop was cool, and did he really understand what Bitcoin was? He replied that he knew more than what Bitcoin was, he had even invested in it and accepted Bitcoin payments at his small shop. I was a little surprised when I heard that, because I thought at first this small shop only used the name "Bitcoin" on its shop because it looked interesting and cool, but this is really a shop that accepts Bitcoin as payment at his shop and the owner also understands Bitcoin investment.

So far when I visited my village, no one accepted Bitcoin for purchasing data packages, credit, e-wallet top ups, etc., so this is something new for me, and this is the first time I have found a shop that accepts Bitcoin, even in my city I have never found that. I further asked him again about some things about Bitcoin and our conversation was not that long because there were some customers he was serving.

However, from that experience I saw that with the existence of a small shop that accepts Bitcoin like this, it gives hope that there are still people who are aware of using Bitcoin not only as an investment, but also like a currency in general which can be used by people to make transactions. Even in the midst of limitations such as rural areas where internet access is sometimes disrupted and government regulations that prohibit shops from accepting Bitcoin, but that is not an obstacle for him to empower Bitcoin as a payment.

[Aanuoluwatofunmi]

Adoption of bitcoin payment system is now going more bigger and better unlike before, since so many online platforms e been accepting their payment in bitcoin and same applies to those that have been in the physical form and locations, maybe we could attribute the recent increase in such manners as a result of the governments acceptance of bitcoin reserve and inclusion into their treasury.

Followed by the increased market price as a result of bullrun, but as an overall assessment, bitcoin has been well to do in performance and many couldn't resist investing in it as well as accepting it for their service payment, now that governments are more lenient in their regulations.

[avikz]

If Bitcoin is accepted as a legal tender in a country, I am sure a lot of merchants will be happy to accept Bitcoin payments. Sach kind of adoption doesn't only happen with Bitcoin knowledge, rather it requires legal approvals and a good will from the government to support such things.

I personally know a couple of people who runs small businesses. The all are willing to accept Bitcoin payment. But our government doesn't recognise Bitcoin as a legal tender. So they are not able to accept it.

It's a bit of a tricky scenario in my country.

[sherri54labrecque]

That’s an eye-opening experience! You discovered a small shop that not only carries Bitcoin in its name but actively accepts it as payment and understands its investment potential. In a rural area where Bitcoin adoption is rare and internet access can be unreliable, this shop owner is pushing boundaries, proving that Bitcoin can function as a real currency, not just an asset. Despite government regulations, their commitment to using Bitcoin shows a growing awareness and determination to integrate it into everyday transactions.

[Rruchi man]

I was a little surprised ...

Your surprise is as a result of you thinking that you are the only one who knows what Bitcoin is, not just by name. That was an example to tell you that there are others who know about Bitcoin around you.

Good news, bitcoin is getting more popular!

[notocactus]

I could be different but I don't want anyone knows that I have bitcoin and cryptocurrency. The practice of entering such places, and proactively asking for such information or paying some stuffs with bitcoin or altcoin potentially bring more curious eyes on me and puts me at higher risk. I don't want to put myself at risk by my own practice so practically I avoid to pay things directly with bitcoin.

You never know what will happen next after you exit a store or a local area and you never can exclude that some bad guys are waiting for you around such stores. So let be as most cautious and carefully as possible, you don't lose anything by doing this, while you can get many benefit in return. So why take risk?

I agree that such stores contribute to Bitcoin adoption and they need to have customers actually use bitcoins for payments too, but if it is about me, I avoid this practice.

[DanWalker]

The truth is that stores accepting bitcoin payments are becoming more and more common, not as rare as before. In addition to large companies and organizations, small shop owners who accept bitcoin payments are often also bitcoin investors.

But what we should be more concerned about is how many people are willing to accept using bitcoin as an alternative payment method to fiat? Because for bitcoin to become a popular means of payment, we need not only stores that accept bitcoin, but also people who are willing to use bitcoin. How many of us are willing to use bitcoin?

Like OP, as a bitcoin investor and found a store that accepts bitcoin. Do you use bitcoin to buy anything in the store, or do you just go in and ask and leave after the story is over?
I thought you would buy something and pay with bitcoin, not just a story about a store accepting bitcoin in your area.

[avp2306]

I was a little surprised ...

Your surprise is as a result of you thinking that you are the only one who knows what Bitcoin is, not just by name. That was an example to tell you that there are others who know about Bitcoin around you.

Good news, bitcoin is getting more popular!

Maybe he got that impression its because this is maybe the first time he see a merchant in their village accept Bitcoin as mode of payment.

Seeing that it seems that there's already growing adoption happening in his place. This is somehow shows that people became adoptive on new payment option and think about that its great to add Bitcoin in their small businesses.

This is indeed a good news and provably that more merchants in his place would add a banner that they also accept Bitcoin.

[Z-tight]

Why didn't you blur or cover that poor guys face, the guy on his motorcycle, he wouldn't know he has made it to a global BTC forum, lol.

Back to the topic, every bitcoiner loves to find merchants that accept BTC, it shows that BTC adoption is growing very fast and people are also willing to pay for stuff with BTC, because if there were no BTC customers, i am sure the merchant would have stopped offering this option of payment. Hope you go back to spend some sats in his shop, no?

[Free Market Capitalist]

Back to the topic, every bitcoiner loves to find merchants that accept BTC, it shows that BTC adoption is growing very fast and people are also willing to pay for stuff with BTC, because if there were no BTC customers, i am sure the merchant would have stopped offering this option of payment. Hope you go back to spend some sats in his shop, no?

I don't think so, I have also come across businesses or services that accept bitcoin, very few, but it is because the one who runs it is a bitcoiner and enables that payment option. In general, paying for pizza, coffee or whatever, with bitcoin and keeping the fiat, is not very smart.

Pay with Dollars.
Eat the Pizza.
Keep the Bitcoin.

[Wakate]

When I was walking with my brother to enjoy the night atmosphere in my village, there was one thing that caught my attention when I was looking around, I found a small shop with the name "BTC Bitcoin Cell". Because I was curious, I tried to visit the shop and asked the owner a few questions. I asked the name of the shop was cool, and did he really understand what Bitcoin was? He replied that he knew more than what Bitcoin was, he had even invested in it and accepted Bitcoin payments at his small shop. I was a little surprised when I heard that, because I thought at first this small shop only used the name "Bitcoin" on its shop because it looked interesting and cool, but this is really a shop that accepts Bitcoin as payment at his shop and the owner also understands Bitcoin investment.

Sometimes we might not even know that Bitcoin is quite popular than most of our celebrities and project ambassadors. Satoshi Nakamoto has really made an impact in the world of finance and it's unarguable. The adoption of Bitcoin is trending everywhere, even when you go to some villas, people are trading and making money from Bitcoin. Bitcoin is not just for the riches even though they have the funds to acquire as many quantities they want. The poor or average people are making money from buying and trading Bitcoin through buying and selling.

Why didn't you blur or cover that poor guys face, the guy on his motorcycle, he wouldn't know he has made it to a global BTC forum, lol.

Oh lol! We can actually make that man on his bike a Bitcoin celebrity because he has actually made it here in the world Bitcoin forum. This could sound coincidental but this is how many people had became very popular without their own awareness. Making him an ambassador wouldn't be a bad idea you know dude! 😉

Back to the topic, every bitcoiner loves to find merchants that accept BTC, it shows that BTC adoption is growing very fast and people are also willing to pay for stuff with BTC, because if there were no BTC customers, i am sure the merchant would have stopped offering this option of payment. Hope you go back to spend some sats in his shop, no?

Accepting Bitcoin as payment for goods and services is also a way to invest in Bitcoin if the marchant can as well hold for as long as possible for the price to appreciate.

[Zoomic]

It could be the businessman’s means of accumulating bitcoins. He himself has learnt about Bitcoin and has put in place means to educate others and also earn some bitcoins. I wouldn’t be surprised if I found out that Bitcoin is legal in that country and that stores can accept Bitcoin as a means of payment.

Seeing someone display Bitcoin openly like that shows it is legal, so why the surprise? He is a smart business man and a business investor. In no distant time and we will see more of that at every corners.

[Plaguedeath]

From the language, it looks like you're in Indonesia.

According to their regulations, Bitcoin isn't accepted as a payment tool, so the owner is taking risk. I know it just the "name" of his shop, but he included Bitcoin with other payment options are simply give indirect information if he do accept Bitcoin.

@OP do you want to make money? you can scare the owner by saying if you're a police.

On 7 December 2017, Bank Indonesia, the country's central bank, issued a regulation banning the use of cryptocurrencies including bitcoin as payment tools starting 1 January 2018.

[tsaroz]

I am no digital linguistic expert or something but when I read the bitcoin whitepaper, I believe Satoshi thought bitcoin would be a digital currency people would transact on buying and selling things. But the price inflated more than he could have imagined.

There are a few problems in implementing bitcoin as merchant coin namely transaction fees and speed. Compared to like 2 years ago, bitcoin network is much more stable, fees cheaper thanks to segwit. I didn't had to pay more than $1 in each of the transactions I made this year, though the wait was longer. Yet, $1 fee and a few hours wait is not ideal for bitcoin to be used as merchant coin.

It's where lightning network may play a role, even though its here for long and the adoption very slow, I have seen more and more merchants and as a result users using lightning network which could make bitcoin a merchant coin in long run.

[Botnake]

If Bitcoin is accepted as a legal tender in a country, I am sure a lot of merchants will be happy to accept Bitcoin payments. Sach kind of adoption doesn't only happen with Bitcoin knowledge, rather it requires legal approvals and a good will from the government to support such things.

I personally know a couple of people who runs small businesses. The all are willing to accept Bitcoin payment. But our government doesn't recognise Bitcoin as a legal tender. So they are not able to accept it.

It's a bit of a tricky scenario in my country.

True. While opening a shop requires a business permit, accepting bitcoin payment as well should never be against the laws of a government. Rest assured your business will be supported by the government then. However, not all countries are optimistic about bitcoin. Some are actually highly against with it, and that leaves merchants no choice but to stick to fiat and disregard the use of bitcoin as a payment mode.

[Lida93]

Aside bitcoin volatility challenge, there are small retail shops whose owners would be willing to accept payments in bitcoin but are only impeded by the government policy on ground in that country concerning bitcoin. And by virtue of the shop owners not wanting government trouble they just restrain from involving bitcoin payments in their list except for geographies where the restrictions are not that strict. But it's enticing to see that bitcoin awareness hav really spread this wide.

[ancafe]

However, from that experience I saw that with the existence of a small shop that accepts Bitcoin like this, it gives hope that there are still people who are aware of using Bitcoin not only as an investment, but also like a currency in general which can be used by people to make transactions. Even in the midst of limitations such as rural areas where internet access is sometimes disrupted and government regulations that prohibit shops from accepting Bitcoin, but that is not an obstacle for him to empower Bitcoin as a payment.

The image does not imply that the store accepts bitcoin payments, but the name of the store is "Bitcoin Cell". In the limitations of the internet and government regulations that prohibit payments using bitcoin, but the owner forces payments using bitcoin is a ridiculous choice because there will be regulations that will drag him to court. I live in a country that prohibits bitcoin from being used as a means of transaction and if we do, there will be legal action that will occur because of the consequences.

Cases like this are enough to make us accept bitcoin as an investment step rather than forcing us to accept payments using bitcoin. The story is different if the country where we live does not prohibit the use of bitcoin as a means of transaction. Everyone will definitely not win against the law, so why force it?

[dunfida]

If Bitcoin is accepted as a legal tender in a country, I am sure a lot of merchants will be happy to accept Bitcoin payments. Sach kind of adoption doesn't only happen with Bitcoin knowledge, rather it requires legal approvals and a good will from the government to support such things.

I personally know a couple of people who runs small businesses. The all are willing to accept Bitcoin payment. But our government doesn't recognise Bitcoin as a legal tender. So they are not able to accept it.

It's a bit of a tricky scenario in my country.

True. While opening a shop requires a business permit, accepting bitcoin payment as well should never be against the laws of a government. Rest assured your business will be supported by the government then. However, not all countries are optimistic about bitcoin. Some are actually highly against with it, and that leaves merchants no choice but to stick to fiat and disregard the use of bitcoin as a payment mode.

Totally still depends because if we do speak about getting up a permit then you do expect that there would be those matters too included in regarding about taxation on which means if your business is that including up another payment option then you are obliged on reporting or listing out everything in regarding about into the transaction or sales. If it turned out that you would be trying out to be evasive then we do know on what are the consequences that you might be able to experience ahead. If your country doesnt care up that much or still neutral when it comes to crypto but we do know that when it comes into this situation or in regarding about in overall recognition and adoption kind of acts or things around that we do see then it do give out that kind of boost and confidence in regarding about into the potential that we do able to see on Bitcoin. There will be those places on which they do have that adoption and recognition towards Bitcoin or crypto.

Here in our place on which there are already tons of shops that accepting Bitcoin or crypto as a payment but in my personal case on which I dont spend up my coins that much as long i can be able to spend up my fiat then i would be using it rather than on finding myself having that kind of spending towards into my precious coins but of course having these options does give out that tons of options for you to be able make use on the time that you dont have any money into your pocket or simply having that kind of choices or last resort if there's no any, but as much as possible i would be that wanting or liking to save up my coins as much as I could because we do know on what are the potential that it could give out on just simply holding up your position. Never tend to waste up those precious coins but well it will be just that basing up into someones approach or actions.

[bitzizzix]

If Bitcoin is accepted as a legal tender in a country, I am sure a lot of merchants will be happy to accept Bitcoin payments. Sach kind of adoption doesn't only happen with Bitcoin knowledge, rather it requires legal approvals and a good will from the government to support such things.

I personally know a couple of people who runs small businesses. The all are willing to accept Bitcoin payment. But our government doesn't recognise Bitcoin as a legal tender. So they are not able to accept it.

It's a bit of a tricky scenario in my country.

True. While opening a shop requires a business permit, accepting bitcoin payment as well should never be against the laws of a government. Rest assured your business will be supported by the government then. However, not all countries are optimistic about bitcoin. Some are actually highly against with it, and that leaves merchants no choice but to stick to fiat and disregard the use of bitcoin as a payment mode.

This will be a risk if the police or local government, if they find out that Bitcoin is used as an alternative payment method if it is indeed prohibited because it is contradictory, especially if there is already a law in force regarding the prohibition of Bitcoin as a payment method and it is very risky for the store in the future.

It is feared that someone will tell us because we don't know because business competition allows this to happen, and it is very unfortunate if the business has advanced and is profitable because it prohibits government regulations and this is very detrimental.

And honestly I really support Bitcoin being used as a means of payment for business or whatever, but don't let your business or whatever you run stop because Bitcoin is actually your own fault for breaking the rules. It is better to obey the rules if the government prohibits it and do not involve your business or business with Bitcoin if in the end it will be troublesome for you if you are caught, and it is better to treat Bitcoin as it should be which is permitted by the government and Bitcoin is still profitable for you by buying it periodically according to your ability and holding it which I think is not much different. And if your goal is good, namely wanting to prove to everyone that Bitcoin can be used as a means of payment, I think everyone knows, they just don't want to take the risk.

Unless you do it individually with fellow Bitcoin users and with people you know, this method might work, because I and some friends who have businesses sometimes make purchases using Bitcoin when in an emergency by mutual agreement.

[serjent05]

This will be a risk if the police or local government, if they find out that Bitcoin is used as an alternative payment method if it is indeed prohibited because it is contradictory, especially if there is already a law in force regarding the prohibition of Bitcoin as a payment method and it is very risky for the store in the future.

I believe the owner of the store knows the law and know that Bitcoin is accepted in their country. If it is illegal then it would be dumb for the owner to advertise that he is accepting Bitcoin on the tarpaulin displayed right on the possibly corner of the road.

It is feared that someone will tell us because we don't know because business competition allows this to happen, and it is very unfortunate if the business has advanced and is profitable because it prohibits government regulations and this is very detrimental.

True, due to jealousy and competition, people will tip their rival to authority if they find something illegal done by their competitor. So to avoid this circumstance, always follow the regulation of the country.

And honestly I really support Bitcoin being used as a means of payment for business or whatever, but don't let your business or whatever you run stop because Bitcoin is actually your own fault for breaking the rules. It is better to obey the rules if the government prohibits it and do not involve your business or business with Bitcoin if in the end it will be troublesome for you if you are caught, and it is better to treat Bitcoin as it should be which is permitted by the government and Bitcoin is still profitable for you by buying it periodically according to your ability and holding it which I think is not much different. And if your goal is good, namely wanting to prove to everyone that Bitcoin can be used as a means of payment, I think everyone knows, they just don't want to take the risk.

True so as a businessman, don't cross the boundaries and always follow the regulation.  No matter how support something if it is deems illegal in our country, we better be careful and don't break the law.

Unless you do it individually with fellow Bitcoin users and with people you know, this method might work, because I and some friends who have businesses sometimes make purchases using Bitcoin when in an emergency by mutual agreement.

Even if it is your friend, if it is illegal in your country, better not engage with it to avoid any problem in the future.  But if it is allowed then by all means trade with any people you know.

It is not surprising to see stores in rural area supporting Bitcoin by accepting it as payment options.  The internet is almost everywhere now, so for sure, any area reached by the internet, there will be a Bitcoin enthusiast.