2014 07 09 XAPO READY TO SHIP BITCOIN DEBIT CARDS Pymnts

[freedomno1]

http://www.pymnts.com/news/2014/xapo-ready-to-ship-bitcoin-debit-cards/#.U747ufldWyl

Bitcoin Vault Xapo says the first shipment of bitcoin debit cards are set to ship out later this month.  The branded debit cards will allow holders card to withdraw bitcoin on the fly. Cards will start shipping in the middle of this month, and ship continuously through out the rest of the summer.

“Let us keep in mind that it’s important not to be short-sighted when examining bitcoin. Today, bitcoin is used primarily as a store of value. Soon, it will be a payment mechanism. In the near future it will be a unit of account. We are thankful to be a part of the journey and the ecosystem,” wrote Wences Casares, founder and CEO, reports TechCrunch.

The debit cards are going out the door as Xapo has picked up another infusion of investor funding. The bitcoin vault has raised $20 million from Greylock Partners and Index Ventures, bringing its total investment capital to $40 million.  It plans to use the new funding to make bitcoin more accessible to the general user and to further protect currency it is holding in its vaults.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the new funding round brings Xapo’s total valuation to north of $100 million.

Also related
Bitcoin Startup Xapo Valued North of $100 Million
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=682044.msg7735845#msg7735845

[1714145373]

1714145373

[ThomasCrowne]

Oh yeah!  Getting excited now.  Can't wait to pick one of these up

[Chef Ramsay]

Yeah, this will be the way to go for most newcomers that will eventually start using Bitcoin for purchases especially as merchants begin to offer discounts for doing so. Most people don't want to be their own bank or deal w/ the personal online/offline security issues when there's services available to do it for you. Also, the vault ain't in the US.

[SirWilliam]

Man I would love to use on of those...

[theblacksquid]

Would international transaction fees apply though, if used outside of the US?

[Ron~Popeil]

Once they ship I will probably sign up. I don't spend my bit coin without replacing them so I wouldn't use it a lot but it would be nice to have quick access if I need it.

[BITCOINDENMARK]

Good news 

[freedomno1]

Yeah, this will be the way to go for most newcomers that will eventually start using Bitcoin for purchases especially as merchants begin to offer discounts for doing so. Most people don't want to be their own bank or deal w/ the personal online/offline security issues when there's services available to do it for you. Also, the vault ain't in the US.

Yep Cavirtex has Canada the Vault has a lot of countries but not much of the USA and Xapos can cover the rest
Good news indeed

[fancy_pants]

I hope this becomes a way to provide allowance to elderly parents.

[Swordsoffreedom]

I hope this becomes a way to provide allowance to elderly parents.

That would be neat here is your debit card I can load it remotely but don't worry about how it works it just does
I like that idea myself.

[jorijnsmit]

Can someone confirm on which network this card works on?

[freedomno1]

Can someone confirm on which network this card works on?

No network was revealed yet we know it is not the Mastercard network though
At least I haven't seen an update on it yet it's still emerging but when the cards start coming out and delivered to customers we will know for sure.

[Neg]

Good news. I think these type of debit cards could helo bring bitcoin to the mainstream. Hope they get some media attention as it could push adoption.

[Ron~Popeil]

I just signed up for an account. I don't use online wallets for storage but does anyone have any experience with their vault service? Seems kind of intriguing for new users.

[maurya78]

Think Reid Hoffman invested in these guys and plugged the news through the social media
Way to go, all the best to these guys

[dwdoc]

Has anyone received their debit card from XAPO yet?

Or one from ANX?

[zeetubes]

Would international transaction fees apply though, if used outside of the US?

Interesting question. I'm pretty sure Xapo isn't a US company as such but they do have a US presence. Once the various cards start shipping we'll get an idea about how expensive the transactions are. I don't think xapo wants to be in the business of being an exchange just yet so they'll probably use bitstamp etc for the actual transactions and make money operating a vault. Cool either way.