ProtonMail Adds Bitcoin Payment Option
ProtonMail has revealed it is adding bitcoin as an official payment option and that other cryptocurrencies may soon follow. The service has unofficially been accepting Bitcoin since 2014, when PayPal froze a donation account linked to the project. Now, ProtonMail is making Bitcoin official and has developed an automated system to facilitate payments. The team cited rising activity on the bitcoin network as a driving factor for the upgrade:
"The general increase in the number of bitcoin transactions over the years has made that [manual] approach unfeasible and made the development of an automated system necessary. We feel this is indicative of a broader trend, where the increased mainstream interest in Bitcoin will make it harder for merchants not to support Bitcoin, which will lead to more Bitcoin support, more transactions, and perhaps the continued appreciation of Bitcoin prices."
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Blockchain.info Adds Ethereum Software Wallet
Yesterday, Bitcoin wallet Blockchain launched an option that allows users to create Ethereum software wallets, a move that marks the first time the startup has integrated a service for an altcoin. The launch also coincides with a new partnership with the ShapeShift cryptocurrency exchange, that will enable users to move funds between their Bitcoin and Ethereum wallets. CEO Peter Smith said in a statement:
"As the popularity of ethereum has grown, so has the desire from our customers to have the option to manage multiple digital assets within their blockchain wallets. We are thrilled to introduce this new functionality to our community and will continue to find ways to make interacting with digital assets even easier."
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ShapeShift Acquires Bitcoin Wallet KeepKey
ShapeShift has acquired Bitcoin hardware wallet startup KeepKey. Announced Wednesday, ShapeShift will continue to use the KeepKey brand, and its staff will stay to continue working on the hardware product line. The deal comes months after ShapeShift closed a $10.4 million funding round. Ken Hodler, KeepKey's chief technology officer, said in a statement:
"This partnership will not only guarantee the future success of the KeepKey brand and product line, but joining the ShapeShift team will enable us to focus on continuing to work on developing better technology and security for crypto-holders."
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Core Magazine: August Issue
Released yesterday, the Core Magazine August issue features blockchain news, articles, interviews and mining tutorials. Be sure to check it out!
Check the magazine here
