Despite the ups and downs in the crypto arena, the sector is more vibrant than ever. Latest reports suggest that while Twitch has quietly phased out Bitcoin subscription payments, a stalwart in the world of online privacy, Tor, is now embracing various cryptocurrencies.
Twitch Stealthily Withdraws BitPay Functionality
Just a couple of days back, users on the BTC Reddit forum claimed announced Twitch's decision to stop accepting payments via BitPay, a veteran in the crypto domain. The timeline of when Twitch integrated this functionality remains hazy, but a forum participant revealed that the BitPay feature was removed recently, affecting all regions.
A check on Twitch's subscription page by Blockonomi reveals no mention of BitPay, nor options for Coinbase or direct Bitcoin payments, features that were supposedly added during the previous market high.
Though this modification went largely unnoticed, a Twitch user named '1John8Lare' took significant steps. By halting all his subscriptions and informing Twitch's support, he made his stand against the decision clear, impacting streamer earnings modestly. Whether others followed suit remains unclear, but many in the crypto community were critical, viewing it as a strategy to financially and platform-wise suppress content creators, according to some conspiracy theorists.
Tor Introduces Bitcoin and Crypto Contributions Support
Unlike Twitch, the centralized entity, Tor, a much-trusted name in privacy-focused browsing, has unveiled a new donation option supporting cryptocurrencies. Presently, Tor's donation page accepts nine major digital currencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Monero, among others, although they remain open to adding other digital assets upon request.
This new stage encourages well-meaning crypto enthusiasts—frequent users of Tor and its breadth—to contribute to the cause of privacy and liberty by ensuring Tor's continued innovation.
How’s Crypto Adoption Faring?
While Twitch's unexpected move away from crypto payment acceptance poses a challenge, the broader narrative shows growing enthusiasm for digital assets. Just recently, Avnet, a heavyweight in electronic components distribution, incorporated a BitPay payment solution.
This American tech giant, recognized in the Fortune 500, is now integrating Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash into its payment systems. According to Avnet, cryptocurrencies present an edge over traditional methods by simplifying product rollouts economically and efficiently.
Although this doesn't parallel the impact of a company like Apple embracing Bitcoin, the gesture hasn't gone unnoticed within the crypto world. It indicates that more mainstream acceptance might be on the horizon.
Two weeks back, Blockonomi reported According to The Block’s intel, Starbucks is reportedly edging towards accepting Bitcoin transactions through the Bakkt platform. Sources claim that the collaboration aims for Starbucks to integrate cryptocurrency payments within 12 to 18 months.
Evaluating the credibility of The Block’s insights suggests that a widespread food chain like Starbucks could soon dive into the Bitcoin waters.
With Square increasing its commitments in the cryptocurrency sector, led by CEO Jack Dorsey, unveiling a crypto-only branch who plans to hire five additional developers, it’s evident that digital currencies aren’t disappearing anytime soon. The real question is, how rapidly will widespread adoption occur?
