Domain Registration Service NameCheap Now Accepts Bitcoin Via BTCPay
The Los Angeles-based domain registrar service Namecheap on September 17th announced that it will be supporting Bitcoin payments made through BTCPay, an open-source, self-hosted cryptocurrency payment processor focused on security, privacy, and censorship-resistance.
Namecheap chief executive Richard Kirkendall revealed the move in a tweet:
This is not the company's first foray into Bitcoin. Namecheap has been accepting bitcoin for years, with a Twitter user going as "Henrique Bastos" mentioning Namecheap's acceptance of the asset in 2013. In the original release announcing the integration, Namecheap wrote:
"Namecheap is a customer-focused domain name registrar and web host. For months, Bitcoin has been requested of Namecheap among the tech audience. We're pleased to announce that we've listened to your feedback. Namecheap continues to innovate and respond to threats and challenges in the online space.… We consider ourselves the pioneers in the space in innovation and freedom."
Namecheap's decision to integrate BTCPay comes after a number of the service's customers said they preferred that payment processor over its competitor BitPay, which Namecheap has long supported.
Alex Kaul, a software engineer working on Bitcoin software, wrote in August 2019 on Namecheap:
"Hi @Namecheap! Just wanted to let you know that I'm going to transfer my domains to another registrar as soon as my balance will be close to zero, if you don't change Bitcoin payment processor. No more top-ups via BitPay!"
Namecheap's decision to double down on Bitcoin payments comes shortly after private aircraft vendor Aviatrade and French food delivery application Just Eat both began accepting bitcoin.
On Bitcoin Becoming the Internet's Native Currency
NameCheap embracing Bitcoin is in line with the sentiment put forth by Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter and Square.
As the BTC Times reported previously, Dorsey recently told Reuters that he thinks Bitcoin is the “the best manifestation” of the internet’s desire for a native currency. He added that Bitcoin has an edge over altcoins due to its network effects.
The increased availability of Bitcoin as as a payment option at international companies seemingly backs up Dorsey's sentiment that Bitcoin is on track to becoming the internet's currency.