Bitpay just lost me as a customer after two years

[Grix]

So I am a bit sad but mostly disappointed and annoyed right now. A few days ago Bitpay changed their compliance scheme, they lowered my volume limits to something far too low for my store, and required a bunch of paperwork to bump it back up that I do not have. Mostly documentation regarding registered businesses, but I am not a registered business. It is legal for me to operate my store at this scale in my country, as it qualifies as a hobby rather than pure business, something the tax office have confirmed. But Bitpay denied my application even after me explaining this, so I am forced to change payment processor.

This is not what bitcoin is about. Bitcoin is supposed to enable people, not limit them even more than traditional payment systems. I have used Paypal for a long time and even though my volume there is higher than Bitpay's was, they never demanded such documentation. It's frankly complete bullshit.

/rant

[jbrnt]

This is why we should use bitcoin and forgot all the corporate bureaucracy. Start a webshop yourself or sell your stuff on CryptoThrift.

[Syke]

This is not what bitcoin is about. Bitcoin is supposed to enable people, not limit them even more than traditional payment systems. I have used Paypal for a long time and even though my volume there is higher than Bitpay's was, they never demanded such documentation. It's frankly complete bullshit.

True, but aren't you using Bitpay to convert to local fiat? Feel free to accept bitcoins directly for any amount for any purpose you want. You can do that with bitcoin.

But I can see how Bitpay doesn't understand the local laws in all countries. Keep trying to show them that you're operating legally in your jurisdiction. I hope they reconsider.

[Grix]

True, but aren't you using Bitpay to convert to local fiat?

No, I am not. I withdraw the settlement in bitcoin. I need a payment processor for security and convenience purposes.

[rammy2k2]

hire a programmer and u're done.

[Syke]

No, I am not. I withdraw the settlement in bitcoin. I need a payment processor for security and convenience purposes.

Ah, well then if Bitpay won't do it for you, there are lots of other solutions.

[monbux]

So I am a bit sad but mostly disappointed and annoyed right now. A few days ago Bitpay changed their compliance scheme, they lowered my volume limits to something far too low for my store, and required a bunch of paperwork to bump it back up that I do not have. Mostly documentation regarding registered businesses, but I am not a registered business. It is legal for me to operate my store at this scale in my country, as it qualifies as a hobby rather than pure business, something the tax office have confirmed. But Bitpay denied my application even after me explaining this, so I am forced to change payment processor.

This is not what bitcoin is about. Bitcoin is supposed to enable people, not limit them even more than traditional payment systems. I have used Paypal for a long time and even though my volume there is higher than Bitpay's was, they never demanded such documentation. It's frankly complete bullshit.

/rant

What did you expect?  companies like these want control, this is how they are going to get it. :-/  Honestly it would be cool if someone just created a payment system that has no restrictions or fees, running based off donations.

[dmatthewstewart]

hire a programmer and u're done.

Matter of fact, I bet you could find one that would do it very cheap or even free. As long as they are a BTC believer like us.

So I am a bit sad but mostly disappointed and annoyed right now. A few days ago Bitpay changed their compliance scheme, they lowered my volume limits to something far too low for my store, and required a bunch of paperwork to bump it back up that I do not have. Mostly documentation regarding registered businesses, but I am not a registered business. It is legal for me to operate my store at this scale in my country, as it qualifies as a hobby rather than pure business, something the tax office have confirmed. But Bitpay denied my application even after me explaining this, so I am forced to change payment processor.

This is not what bitcoin is about. Bitcoin is supposed to enable people, not limit them even more than traditional payment systems. I have used Paypal for a long time and even though my volume there is higher than Bitpay's was, they never demanded such documentation. It's frankly complete bullshit.

/rant

What did you expect?  companies like these want control, this is how they are going to get it. :-/  Honestly it would be cool if someone just created a payment system that has no restrictions or fees, running based off donations.

The only upside to Bitpay is that it is fast. Other than that I never liked the idea. I was really hoping that everyone who started to accept BTC would create a script(s) to work with their website; create unique address, when invoice amount matches, and address matches, issue invoice and send email to customer. Its really not that difficult. Bitpay gained momentum at the exact right time and jsut sort of rested on their laurels...if thats what you could call them.

[Syke]

There are several open source e-commerce sites that have bitcoin-related plugins available.

[maku]

What did you expect?  companies like these want control, this is how they are going to get it. :-/  Honestly it would be cool if someone just created a payment system that has no restrictions or fees, running based off donations.

Donation system is not good on the long run. While some people will be generous and will be willing to share, or give even more than they need to. The big part of network would never contribute anything. That is why you can base on donation any successful economy.

[TheButterZone]

After having (and I thought solving for good) too many verification issues in the past, they're now making the 501(c)(3) non-profit (dis)organization I signed up go through way too many new compliance steps that only make sense if you're a for-profit. Went a few rounds with Bitpay's "Client Operations Engineer" over this latest nonsense before our local treasurer's mom died and she had to go back to her home country to deal with that rather than Bitpay's shit.

In the meantime, an $18 donation is stuck, and the account is locked so can't throw another $2 their way to get it unstuck ($20 minimum to send to their bank).

[innocent93]

Does the new company named "Circle" offer the same functionality as Bitpay?  If it's, you could switch to Circle.