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Windows 11 | Windows 10 Modifying => Windows 11 | Windows 10 | apps | Applications | Windows Store => Topic started by: javajolt on March 14, 2016, 06:48:24 PM
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Bitcoin (http://s11.postimg.org/kxvg4jmw3/488159_bitcoin.jpg), the digital currency that once had the confidence of the tech industry and a massive number of consumers, is now being forsaken. Following the trend, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has also closed its doors on the web-based digital payment and asset system. However, the company was rather subtle about the change, in contrast with the latest trend.
Without any big announcements, contrary to its previous Bitcoin-related activities, Microsoft has updated its pages to notify Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile users that they can no longer conduct business in the respective stores, using the cryptocurrency service. While Windows 10 is used by a small portion of the total number of Windows users, discontinued support on the latest Microsoft OS is likely to impact Bitcoin’s adoption in the industry — not by a massive difference though.
Microsoft embraced the digital currency in December 2014, around the time when Bitcoin was both popular and controversial. It enabled users to purchase a variety of digital content, such as games and applications, from the company’s numerous platform-based stores, including those for Windows 10, Xbox, and Windows Phone.
Now, users can no longer pay for stuff using the cryptocurrency, according to an FAQ note on Microsoft’s How-to page (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/microsoft-store-doesnt-accept-bitcoin). It reads: “You can no longer redeem Bitcoin into your Microsoft account. Existing balances in your account will still be available for purchases from Microsoft Store, but can't be refunded.”
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The scenario has changed drastically since December 2014, as Bitcoin no longer is the hot topic. Although the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has acknowledged Bitcoin as a tradable commodity, the previous aggressive practice by huge commercial establishments of adopting the cryptocurrency has slowly gone out of fashion. The industry is now debating whether it is wise to accept Bitcoin in its businesses.
The tech industry gradually losing its love for Bitcoin could be due to the big names behind it, and the currency having been at the center of controversies, mostly of a criminal nature. Keeping the controversy aspect aside, many now view Bitcoin as a failed experiment, particularly due to the niche market it attracts. Microsoft might also have decided to discontinue support, in the face of declining consumers using the digital payment system. Furthermore, it is possible that the company is working on a digital payment system of its own, given the massive purchases made from Windows, Mobile, and Xbox stores.
If you still have some Bitcoin balance left in your Microsoft Store accounts, it’s not going to waste. You can make use of whatever is left, but can’t add additional balance. Refunding a purchase made by Bitcoin is not possible; neither can you convert it back to real currency. While the How-to page update doesn’t specify the removal of Bitcoin from Xbox, Microsoft is unlikely to make any exceptions.
Other gaming companies, such as Valve, are apparently still backing Bitcoin. Whether it’s true, and whether Microsoft ditching the digital currency would have any effect on other Bitcoin adopters, we’ll find out in the days to come. The near future will also show whether the currency needs to make significant changes to its infrastructure, in order to survive.
source:bidnessetc