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Bitcoin merchant-services provider BitPay Inc. has launched an app to enable one-tap Bitcoin payment at the point of sale.
Dubbed Bitcoin Checkout, the app is available now for smart phones and tablets using Android. An iOS version is planned for Apple Inc. devices.
The app, when loaded onto a smart phone that has near-field communication (NFC) connectivity, can make a contactless payment. A consumer places the phone near the merchant’s NFC reader to receive instructions on how to make the Bitcoin payment. The NFC function only is available on Android devices.
To use the app, a merchant names the device and pairs it with their BitPay account. To make a transaction, the merchant fills in the bill amount in the app with the option to add a tip. That generates a Quick Response code for the consumer to scan with her camera-equipped smart phone or tablet.
Both NFC and QR codes support the bitcoin payment protocol, so the consumer’s Bitcoin wallet can verify the authenticity of the payment request before sending the payment.
Atlanta-based BitPay earlier this year raised $30 million from venture-capital firms, with plans to use the funding to grow its business.
