News on payment processors, online store solutions, merchant adoption, and commerce

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This thread is focused on news and developments from the commerce side of things. It's not focused on current price, speculation, wealth preservation, or avoiding capital controls.

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BIPS Releases 0% Merchant Processing Solution

BIPS was created to change the world and it has achieved that goal with it's new 0% merchant processing solution. Working on Bitcoin technology, charge backs and fraud are a thing of the past.

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2013/04/14/10632403/gI_81099_bips.png

BIPS


http://www.prweb.com/images/release-topquote.gifIs @bips the name to beat in online payment systems?http://www.prweb.com/images/release-bottomquote.gif

Copenhagen (PRWEB) April 16, 2013

Bitcoin Internet Payment System (BIPS) has officially launched its full featured free merchant gateway. BIPS was created with simple goals in mind; to free merchants of processing fees and eliminate fraud. Built with Bitcoin technology, BIPS accomplishes both of those objectives.

BIPS has guaranteed merchant processing rates so merchants can accept bitcoins without worrying about market fluctuations. With 45 supported currencies, 0% processing fees and no charge backs, credit card companies cannot compete. The world of merchant payment processing will never be the same.

Television personality Max Kaiser tweets, “Is @bips the name to beat in online payment systems?” Absolutely. Pioneering Bitcoin and online security, BIPS delivers a unique solution not found anywhere else. With Secure Card, Google Authenticator, Double salted 512-bit hashed passwords, Cold storage and IP Guard rest assured knowing your account is secure. BIPS was modeled on over a year of customer feedback from WalletBit and a desire to change the payment world.

BIPS empowers even the smallest merchant to securely accept payments for their products and services anywhere in the world – for free. From the struggling family in India to the successful business in Toronto everyone has an equal opportunity to accept payments. In doing so, BIPS unlocks the full potential of Bitcoin. BIPS will not charge merchants any processing fees for accepting payment.

Anyone using BIPS has the option of signing up using an existing Facebook, Twitter or Google account. This means there is no need to remember another password unless the user want to. For those who like to do things the old fashioned way, BIPS also have a secure traditional sign up method.

BIPS combines years of Bitcoin processing experience to create the ultimate Bitcoin website. Best of all BIPS is free. Simply put, BIPS is the last Bitcoin website one will ever need.

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Bitcoin ATM Coming to a Corner Near You

Video on bloomberg TV

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/bitcoin-atm-coming-to-a-corner-near-you-gE5ZaW_RQCCAY4bzUHgchw.html

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http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1cikh2/openbitcoinstore_free_bitcoin_enabled_online/

It's the second day since the official launch of OpenBitcoinStore.
OpenBitcoinStore is a not-for-profit, community project that has created a completely integrated bitcoin enabled store that can be deployed in minutes. With a combination of open source and free hosting, we can deliver a completely free store to wannabe or existing retailers.
In the first 48 hours we received 67 applications for new bitcoin-enabled retail stores. As we speak, many of those are launching.
We have also launched the main site OpenBitcoinStore.com, which now includes all the information, signup forms, FAQ and a directory of the new stores as they become "live".
The variety of stores is quite surprising, from intangibles like domain names to physical products, services, software and more.
We have also received support from more than ten volunteers, donations and lots and lots of heartfelt wishes for success.
Our service is simple:
Launch a bitcoin enabled store, for free, in less than an hour, no technical skills required.
Our slogan is:
Let a thousand bitcoin stores bloom!
Well, I'm happy to report: 67 on the way, 933 to go.
Please join us in this effort.
Launch a store, volunteer, donate, or just drop us a line:
openbitcoinstore.com
Thank you!


http://openbitcoinstore.com/

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Other payment processors cannot compete with bitcoin. This is why this thread will continue to grow as more people switch over to it. Observe what is available right now:

https://bitpay.com/pricing

http://i.imgur.com/XAnPGcP.png

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Anecdotal discussion

I've noticed a large portion of pro-bitcoin arguments are missing some important advantages. (http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1co3qx/ive_noticed_a_large_portion_of_probitcoin/)

submitted 16 hours ago by A_supporter (http://www.reddit.com/user/A_supporter)
You can ignore the big part(explanations to summary) it is all summarized in the tldr, and the big part might have a few errors, but it explains the points in a bit more detail if you like the tldr.
Greetings,
I have noticed that a lot of the arguments people give on behalf of bitcoin either fail to mention or fail to adequately stress one point that is bitcoins main advantage for me.
This may be a tad long but please bear with me.
Explanation
Now as a non US/Canada/Europe Citizen(from middle east/ asian sub-continent) my options for making online purchases are far more limited than those of the folk who make up the majority of reddits userbase.
I have no access to paypal as it is not available in my country.
I cannot find pre-paid credit cards anywhere in my country.
Due to the high fraud rates in my country, and the relatively new nature of many online retailers I find myself uncomfortable with the idea of putting in my credit card information
Any bank transfers have very high fees
Due to not having these services I am also uncomfortable signing up for websites which make it hard to cancel your subscription(as I would normally use a prepaid card instead).
Additionally I might be uncomfortable making certain purchases as they might end up on my bill(i.e. if I were in a religious country I might be uncomfortable subscribing for any adult websites)
Bitcoin helps solve all these as I should theoretically be able to go out, buy a few coins, and use them for my purchases.
What people neglect to mention is that
Points
Bitcoin is a way for one to easily make online purchases, you don't need to verify your identity, transfer funds, have a credit card, you can just go out, buy some coins and pay. This is very useful for those who have no access to services such as paypal, credit cards and such. [elaboration; for example when me and quite a few friends of mine used to play online games, we could easily afford the fees, but had no way to actually transfer the money, so had to resort to play on private servers, or ftp games]
(important point) The way a lot of people talk about paying with bitcoin just makes it seem very risky. They say its from person to person, online, and untraceable. The impression this gives off is that bitcoin is simply a way to pay for things over ebay, and a risky one, as if the seller doesn't actually send the item there is no way to get your cash back. This completely undermines bitcoin.
Bitcoin would stop/lower certain types of fraud(i.e. dud transfers, fake/stolen credit cards) which is great for sellers.
In Bitcoin you pay, your don't get charged. This may seem meaningless, but it is one of the differences between paper money and credit/debit cards. When you go to a shop to buy something, any money paid is taken from your wallet by you and given, nothing can be done without your awareness. With credit cards however services can automatically bill you(online) and if anyone gets your number they can withdraw your money, if you have someones bitcoin wallet number the best you can do is spend a few hundred years trying to break in.
Summary
Point out that bitcoin is special by focusing on how it is actually a currency. Most people explaining it give the impression that it is a less secure paypal(i.e. no charge back). Yes say bitcoin is an online currency, but then explain it as this means that you can pay with it online, without any of the hassle of being in the right country, needing Id, having to create an account. If you want to sign up for some service, well while picking up your groceries you just go to money changer/ currency exchange, pay them whatever currency you have, and they give you bitcoins, then you just go online and use it pay for whatever. It would be more trustworthy for the seller as within half an hour they have their money, with no risk of any insufficient funds/refund scam, and for the buyer you can pay globally without any fees, there is no risk of your account being frozen(actually impossible), Its not a online service its not another company. If you want to withdraw your money you can almost instantly, there is no conflict of interest. Its completely different from a credit card in that you don't need to worry about anyone charging you extra fees, it is the same as dollar notes, all anyone can take is what you give them, no one can charge you, instead you have to pay them. Additionally when mentioning buying things online try saying subscribing for services such as netflix, or paying bills, or even shops, mentioning things like paying your friends or ebay while legitimate make it seem less legitimate.
TLDR
You can buy and use it immediately - no need for making an account, no this service is unavailable in your country
Anyone can use it, too young for a credit card, paypal, etc... but still want to order something/buy a subscription to something? Well just go to a moneychanger and trade any currency for bitcoin(not yet, but if it becomes accepted)
You pay with bitcoin, not get charged(i.e. No service can just charge your wallet, withdrawing money directly instead you have to send it)
No risk of insufficent funds scams/ refund scams as within half an hour the seller has the money. It is the same as if you gave him paper money, as they have the power then, and charge back scams are impossible.

Most important!, when talking about buying things online try naming a few services so people don't immediately think of eBay, and how no charge back would allow people to easily scam you. Try saying netflix, wow membership, hulu, buy exotic soaps, or your groceries.
Try painting it as closer to actual paper cash, which coincidentally can travel through the internet, rather than a new form of debit card/paypal.
Ok then I'm going to sleep now. Goodbye.

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Indianapolis dentist accepting bitcoins (http://www.caringdentists.org)

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You can buy a new Ford in Texas with btc:

I've been talking with the boss about accepting BTC for about a week now, and today we got the all clear to start. We won't have prices in BTC displayed on our website for a while, but anything listed should be available.

BTC can be for the entire purchase price (including any taxes or government fees), or just a down payment. We've got a transportation company that should be able to ship the cars, and we'd be happy to let you pay that in BTC as well.
Our website: http://www.spford.com
Contact: Greg Spanko
Phone: 972 242 6415
Email: gspanko@spford.com


Or a Jeep in Kansas:

Norman Vialle, a 53-year-old car dealer in Kansas, invested in his share of winners and losers during the Internet bubble of the 1990s. Now he is clinging to a stash of Bitcoin, even though the fledgling virtual currency has lost about 70% of its value in the past week.

"It's volatile because it's new, but it's still a lot higher than it was a month ago," Mr. Vialle says.

In addition to investing in the currency, Mr. Vialle recently began accepting bitcoins for payment at Overland Park Jeep Dodge Ram Chrysler. One of his customers is planning to pay for a $40,000 Jeep with the currency next month.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324345804578426692340390104.html?m od=googlenews_wsj

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You can rent property in Houston:
http://fatproperty.com/




Here are some homes for sale:

Asia
Philippines
Apartment for Rent in Makati: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=52071.0
Europe
Spain
House of stone and 6000m2: http://www.bitmit.net/en/trade/i/3852-house-of-stone-and-6000m2/description
Germany
3 room apartment near Stuttgart: http://www.bitmit.net/en/trade/i/4552-3-zi-wohnung-3-room-apartment-61m-in-kornwestheim-d/description

[EE_]

This bitcoin just may be the future! Hopefully soon there will no longer be a need for dollars. You can take the chipped device (smart phone) you received, in hand, place it to your forehead and only be allowed buy and sell because you have it.
And everyone begged for it!

Sound familiar?

“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16-17

The best thing about bitcoin is sticking it to the most powerful, wealthiest people in the world...the bankers.

Bitcoin gives a big "fuck you" to the most technologically advanced people on the planet, people with unlimited resources...the same people that control the Federal Reserve, governments and their armies...and the Internet.
They can't do a damn thing about it!.

It feels good to be smarter then our rulers for once!

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It's looking like btc could help out countries with high inflation.




5 AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO INSTALL BITCOIN ATM http://2feetafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Jeff-Berwick-602x479.jpg (http://2feetafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Jeff-Berwick.jpg)
South Africa, Ghana, Angola, Egypt and Libya could be the first African countries to install Bitcoin ATMs in a move which has the potential to revolutionise currency trading on the continent.
In an exclusive interview with HumanIPO, Jeff Berwick, chief executive officer (CEO) of Bitcoin ATM (https://bitcoinatm.com/), said since they revealed the concept and opened for declarations of interest they have been approached by more than 200 companies in 30 countries, including the five in Africa.
Bitcoin (http://bitcoin.org/en/) is a digital currency which is not regulated by any government or backed by any central bank. It is a ‘currency without borders’.

Although Berwick describes Africa’s current Bitcoin participation as “almost completely barren” compared to Europe and the United States, he believes there is huge potential for it to spread on the continent.
Berwick told HumanIPO: “It is sad, at this time, because of all people who could make the best use of Bitcoin it is Africans who have been some of the most repressed by totalitarian and, even worse, democratical regimes, who have limited them so much.
“However, we believe Bitcoin will be a revolution in currency and value transfer and hope that more Africans realise this is something that will set them more free from their governments.”
Regarding African economies’ suitability for Bitcoin expansion, considering there are large unbanked proportions of the population, Berwick added: “I actually think it could be a major advantage as long as the information and knowledge about Bitcoin is communicated amongst the people.
“Our biggest hinderance to a global rollout is in places like the US and Europe where heinous governmental regimes control everything.”

The Bitcoin ATM will allow people to deposit their locally mandated currency into the machine and have it converted into Bitcoins to put into their digital wallet.
Users will also be able to withdraw hard currency by cashing in their Bitcoins at the machine.

Their first product will be installed in Los Angeles by the end of the month, before moving to cash-strapped Cyprus – the European country thought to be responsible for the huge surge in Bitcoin value earlier this month (http://tinyurl.com/ct3735s).

He added: “We are moving forward as fast as possible. Demand has been large so we are trying to keep up with it… [After Los Angeles] we will then move on to Cyprus and then on to the over 200 other places that we have orders from.”

Berwick describes himself as an anarcho-capitalist and libertarian, who is editor in chief of The Dollar Vigilante (http://dollarvigilante.com/). He also founded Stockhouse.com, Canada’s largest financial website, in 1994.

Describing his reason for getting involved with Bitcoin, Berwick told HumanIPO: “First, I am a big believer in individual freedom (and by proxy, anything against government) and this was the first example in modern times of the free market coming up with its own decentralised, non-regulatable currency.

“Secondly, at The Dollar Vigilante I have been writing for three years about The End Of The Monetary System As We Know It (TEOTMSAWKI) and why the collapse of all fiat currencies is coming (hint: government debt and central bank money printing).”

He went on to compare the arrival of Bitcoin to the internet revolution. He added: “I am seeing all the same things with Bitcoin as an evolution in currency whereas the internet was an evolution in communications.

“It is our intention to make Bitcoin more accessible to the public and free them from the restraints and incursions of the central bank controlled fiat currencies.”

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Bitcoin: world's fastest growing currency migrates off the internet - video

Local bitcoin economy forming in Kreuzberg, Germany (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/video/2013/apr/26/bitcoin-currency-moves-offline-berlin-video)

In Kreuzberg, Berlin, virtual currency Bitcoin has expanded off the internet to become a favoured medium of exchange in real shops and bars. Joerg Platzer, the owner of bar Room 77 is helping to establish what he believes to be the world's first Bitcoin local economy

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[Heimdhal]

Maybe I'll have to start selling holsters for bit coins.

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Maybe I'll have to start selling holsters for bit coins.

I guess you've got two options.

The manual way is to just create a wallet at a place like blockchain.info and give people your payment address and they can send you btc payment. Then to cash out you'll have to sell the coins on an exchange, and get the money transferred to your bank account. You have to be careful to use long passwords with 2 factor authentication, make sure you don't have a keylogger on your machine, etc.

A second way which may be easier is to use bitpay, and they'll directly convert it to cash (if you want them to) and send it to your bank account the next day. They charge a flat 0.99% fee. There are other services like bitpay, coinbase is one. I'm not sure what all of them are.

Do you have a website? If you don't, one cool thing is you can create an online store in about an hour supposedly with http://openbitcoinstore.com/. You can start selling online right away.