By Anthony Biondi (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: January 29, 2014
It wasn’t long ago that a coffee shop in Vancouver installed a bitcoin ATM in their establishment.
Now Quantum Properties, an Abbotsford-based real estate agency, has stepped up to the plate to accept the new currency. The company’s CEO Diane Delves credits the bitcoin-friendly coffee shop for inspiring the agency to move toward digital payment options.
“I saw they took bitcoin, which, of course, further spurred my interest. So, I did my research and thought, ‘Let’s do this!’” she says.
The bitcoin is a digital currency that exists only in digital wallets on the web. It functions outside the Canadian dollar and has its own conversion rate.
According to Delves, accepting bitcoin as payment for services is “just becoming the norm.” She lists the SPCA taking bitcoin for donations, retail establishments accepting it as payment, as well as another realtor stating that he will accept bitcoin for his commissions.
Delves perceives the bitcoin as a coming trend that will result in a wide acceptance of the digital currency to the point where it will be uncommon for companies to make the choice not to accept it.
“With the number of online transactions, it’s just kind of natural to have a digital currency,” she says.
In the age of digital shopping outlets such as Amazon and eBay, it is common to make digital transactions via credit card. Companies such as Pay Pal have moved beyond credit card to accepting debit payment through digital banking.
However, the digital shopping era is no longer limited to trinkets and books.
“A friend of mine is involved with a company called Rent Moolah. It’s an online payment processing for rent payments,” Delves states.
Quantum Properties has also been approached regarding bitcoin payments on their rental suites. She sees the world as changing; it’s all about convenience.
“It’s less convenient for people to have to show up in person and hand over cheques or cash,” Delves says.
Quantum Properties is accepting credit card as payment for property in a manoeuvre that Delves describes as simply opening up options for their buyers.
However, Delves notes their acceptance of the bitcoin has led to a large number of questions about what the currency even is; a natural response considering the newness of bitcoin. In response, Quantum Properties will hold a series of info sessions in February for people who are interested in learning how the currency works and how to earn it.
