What Micropayment Needs Can Bitcoin Fill?

RodeoX

legendary

Activity: 3066

Merit: 1147

The revolution will be monetized!

This is a good question. Very small payments are problematic for other payment systems such as credit cards because they cannot scale as well as a P2P system. Especially when it comes to things worth a few pennies or less. In addition to requiring a profit, Mastercard must buy it's infrastructure and pay something additional to get anything done. Because of this, the micropayment economy may be relatively untapped.
I can envision a wide range of areas for such payments:
Internet advertising: those per-click based arrangements would automate well by paying in bitcoin.
Charitable giving: Tiny and anonymous contributions could be made directly to those in need.
Consumer promotional campaigns: Pay consumers , or charge for deals.
Small fair trade items: Doesn't get more fair than buying direct.
video game point system: Maybe you have the option to bet with your friends during a deathmatch.
Metered Internet services: Advanced searches, news, large automated services.
The big thing nobody saw coming: Huh

Alex Beckenham

full member

Activity: 154

Merit: 100

There have been cases where someone has closed an account with a utility provider and had say $0.02 still owing on the bill. Despite the low amount, this gets stuck in the system and generates multiple bills being sent out, then $20 late fees and overdue notices in the mail, eventually getting blown way out of proportion, because noone takes their initial 2c bill seriously.

PLATO

sr. member

Activity: 493

Merit: 250

Don't trust "BBOD The Best Futures Exchange"

Quote from: gigabytecoin on March 31, 2011, 01:02:29 PM

fast food in general (tim hortons up in Canada refuses to take plastic because of the fees, typical orders are ~$1.50)

A burger, fries, and drink (or equivalent) in CT costs around six USD now

MoonShadow

legendary

Activity: 1708

Merit: 1010

Carsharing networks...

http://www.zipcar.com/
http://relayrides.com/
http://www.getaround.com/

Dynamic ridesharing...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_ridesharing
http://www.flinc.mobi

gigabytecoin

sr. member

Activity: 280

Merit: 252

I whipped out my credit card the other day to make a whopping $0.25 purchase at a city parking meter.

I'm not sure if they have a special deal with Visa or something... but didn't the City just lose some money on that transaction? I thought credit card companies had a minimum transaction fee...

Anyways, what are some other micropayment niche needs that bitcoin can fill?

parking payments
hot dog/street meat vendors
fast food in general (tim hortons up in Canada refuses to take plastic because of the fees, typical orders are ~$1.50)
what else?

Topic: What Micropayment Needs Can Bitcoin Fill? (Read 1734 times)