Microsoft Enables Buying Digital Content with Bitcoin

 

    Microsoft brings new payment possibilities to its users. The company adds Bitcoin as a payment option for a variety of digital content across its online platforms. According to the company’s payments information page the customers can now use bitcoin to add money to their Microsoft accounts, which can then be used to purchase digital content like apps, games and videos from its Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox platforms.

  The integration is only partial, however. The post's language suggests that Microsoft is not accepting the digital currency as a direct payment method, though a broader integration could take place in the future.

Microsoft explains:

"You can only use bitcoin to add money to your Microsoft account and then purchase digital goods at select Microsoft online stores. You can’t use bitcoin to purchase Microsoft products and services directly at this time."

   In that menu, users enter the amount of funds they want to add to their account, then use their digital wallet to pay for it with Bitcoin. The transaction window is limited to 15 minutes, and can be done by scanning the QR code using a smartphone and mobile wallet app, or from a computer. Support for Bitcoin is limited to buying mobile content like apps and games from the Windows Store and Windows Phone Store, as well as content for the Xbox from Xbox Music, Xbox Video, and Xbox Games. Transactions are immediate and will not be eligible for refunds.