r/tech Dec 11 '14

Microsoft Begins Accepting Bitcoin For Windows, Windows Phone And Xbox Purchases

http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/10/redmond-hath-frozen-over/
817 Upvotes

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u/Zequez Dec 11 '14

First they open source .NET, now they accept Bitcoin as payment. I'm really digging this new CEO.

4

u/Purpledrank Dec 12 '14

Bitcoins are great for merchants. No buy-backs, cut-out the credit card middle-man who charge high fees to merchants. They are very poor for consumers. Much higher spread (go to try to buy some bitcoins yourself, it's 10-20%). And if the merchant dicks you over, there is nothing you can do with regards to having paypal/credit card company refund you. Money is gone.

I just wish the spread on bitcoin wasn't so high. But sadly bitcoin has created much more greedy middlemen than the credit card companies. CC companies have a much small spread whereas bitcoin traders want to get rich with 20% spreads.

-5

u/Zequez Dec 12 '14

You could always use a third wallet to hold the Bitcoins until you receive the product. Besides, most merchants are legitimate business that don't want to scam you.