Twitter has launched ‘Tips’ a feature that allows users to send bitcoin or cash tips after it announced in early September. It begins with iOS users with Android coming soon. Its also planning support for non-fungible token (NFT) authentication.
Twitter announced that the bitcoin tipping feature starting with iOS users. The company tweeted: “Tested the Tips feature, turns out people love money. Rolling out on iOS with Android coming soon.”
Tips allow you to send bitcoin or cash tips depending on how you configure your Tips settings and the regional availability of third-party payment providers.
The tweet explained how to use the new tipping feature. “Looking to get a little support with Tips? Tips are now rolling out to everyone (18+) on iOS. Add the Tips icon to your profile from the ‘Edit profile button.”
Twitter’s Product Manager, Esther Crawford has turned on Tips, the Tips icon to appear on the profile page.
She emphasizes “Tap the icon, and you’ll see a list of payment services or platforms that the account has enabled, and you can select whichever you prefer,”
Crawford added “In addition to the services currently enabled through Tips, people can now seamlessly tip with bitcoin using Strike — a payments application built on the Bitcoin Lightning Network that allows people to send and receive bitcoin. Strike offers instant and free payments globally.”
IN U.S, a strike is available excluding Hawaii and New York, as well as in El Salvador. Along the U.S dollar Bitcoin is now legal tender. Eligible markets users can sign up for a Strike account and add their Strike username to receive bitcoin tips over the Lightning Network.
The product manager explained that “You can use any Bitcoin Lightning wallet to send tips to someone’s Strike account.”
She noted that “When you enable Tips on your profile, you can now also add your bitcoin address. People can copy your address and paste it into a bitcoin wallet of their choice to send you a payment directly.”
Other payment platforms apart from the strike are Bandcamp, Cash App, Chipper, Gofundme, Patreon, Picpay, Razorpay, Wealthsimple Cash, and Paypal’s Venmo.
Twitter also announced its arrangement to support authentication for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Crawford said, “We’re excited to soon explore NFT authentication.
It’s a way to support creators making this art with a stamp to demonstrate authenticity. By allowing people to directly connect their crypto wallets, they can track and showcase their NFT ownership on Twitter.”
She also said: “We’re interested in basically just making it visually clear that this is an authenticated avatar and then give you some interesting info and insight about the provenance of that NFT.”
A spokesperson from Twitter said: “NFT authentication will come in the form of a badge, shown on profile pictures, marking the owner’s NFT as authentic.”
