Earlier this month Microsoft stopped accepting Bitcoin for funding accounts on their platforms. This is dire news for Bitcoin supporters, but it was a necessary event. Why? Because of the wildly fluctuating value of Bitcoin. That is the reason Bleeping Computer reported. This is not the first, or second, time that Microsoft has halted allowing payment via the popular digital currency. This has gotten me to thinking though, would it be “too far out there” for Microsoft to create their own cryptocurrency? Let’s go one step farther – would you use it?
I am of the mindset that Microsoft has little garage groups working on stuff like this within the company. Probably 99.999% of the stuff these groups create will never see the light of day and will be some code name that normal users like you and me will never know the true origins of. It is just how corporate America works. I think, almost willing to bet my career on it, that Microsoft has a version of Linux running and ready to go if the market ever swings that way. Just saying, companies like Microsoft are not where they are by not having plans A through Z ready to go at a moment’s notice.
That brings me to Bitcoin and Microsoft’s dabbling with it. Much like Linux, Microsoft slowly dabbled into the netherworld of something they don’t control and slowly started bringing it into their fold. Much like how Linux is now seeing portions of compatibility within Windows 10, I am sure we will see more developments within the crypto world concerning Microsoft.
I don’t think Microsoft will resume accepting Bitcoin due to the miner fees and volatile value. I think they will instead launch their own crypto, 100% controlled by them so they can control fees and such. The question is, will you use a Microsoft backed cryptocurrency?
It is not as far fetched as you are probably thinking it is. People flocked to Bitcoin and other cryptos because of the anonymity on offer. The whole time flaunting that they would never use a crypto that was controlled by any single company or entity. Then along comes Ripple and its bank backed operation which recently jumped over $2.
Could something similar happen with a Microsoft crypto? Something with low fees to use, quick transactions, security, etc. I think it would do well myself but what do I know, I remember when Ripple was $0.10 each and didn’t get in.