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The point I was making (though I didn't really say) was not that gold should be used, but that someone can simply convert their own BTC via the normal means to

The point I was making (though I didn't really say) was not that gold should be used, but that someone can simply convert their own BTC via the normal means to USD and then pay with that, same as you could sell your gold. Why even offer this service? Are there REALLY enough people interested in paying their taxes in BTC that this service is in any way worth providing?

dragonwriter 8y ago
> Why even offer this service? As stated in the article, it's one of several symbolic gestures being made in an effort to market the state as “tech friendly”.
- _asummers 8y ago
  How does this accomplish that though? What tech people are trying to pay their taxes in BTC? The best way to make your state more attractive to tech business is to improve schools and services that actually affect people, not offer bizarre programs like this. I very clearly have priors that I think this is absurd, so maybe I'm just not looking at things charitably. I just don't get who this is for, and I expect it to be underused when it comes tax time.
freedomben 8y ago
> someone can simply convert their own BTC via the normal means to USD and then pay with that, same as you could sell your gold I don't know if you've tried to sell gold, but it's a little bit more involved and difficult than exchanging BTC/USD
- _asummers 8y ago
  But that's what this service seems to be doing, right? BitPay's raison d'etre seems to be that service exactly. Edit: misread the parent comment.
  - freedomben 8y ago
    Not sure I understand your question. BitPay exchanges BTC for USD, not Gold for USD. Gold typically requires a physical exchange of goods, and can't be done electronically.
    - _asummers 8y ago
      I originally misread your comment.
      - freedomben 8y ago
        haha cool, no problem. Thanks for the discussion btw :-)
- tedunangst 8y ago
  You can also own gold through an ETF or some other vehicle, which is pretty easy to trade.

dragonwriter 8y ago

> Why even offer this service? As stated in the article, it's one of several symbolic gestures being made in an effort to market the state as “tech friendly”.

_asummers 8y ago
How does this accomplish that though? What tech people are trying to pay their taxes in BTC? The best way to make your state more attractive to tech business is to improve schools and services that actually affect people, not offer bizarre programs like this. I very clearly have priors that I think this is absurd, so maybe I'm just not looking at things charitably. I just don't get who this is for, and I expect it to be underused when it comes tax time.

freedomben 8y ago

> someone can simply convert their own BTC via the normal means to USD and then pay with that, same as you could sell your gold I don't know if you've tried to sell gold, but it's a little bit more involved and difficult than exchanging BTC/USD

_asummers 8y ago
But that's what this service seems to be doing, right? BitPay's raison d'etre seems to be that service exactly. Edit: misread the parent comment.
- freedomben 8y ago
  Not sure I understand your question. BitPay exchanges BTC for USD, not Gold for USD. Gold typically requires a physical exchange of goods, and can't be done electronically.
  - _asummers 8y ago
    I originally misread your comment.
    - freedomben 8y ago
      haha cool, no problem. Thanks for the discussion btw :-)
tedunangst 8y ago
You can also own gold through an ETF or some other vehicle, which is pretty easy to trade.