Comparisons between PayPal and bitcoin are always tempting to make, simply because both are meant to make it easier to make purchases digitally. They’re entirely different things, though. PayPal is a service that streamlines the process of making digital purchases with a credit card; bitcoin is a wholly digital currency operating in its financial ecosystem, so to speak, via the blockchain. Despite this massive difference, however, and a direct comparison is inherently flawed, there’s something to be said for the idea that PayPal is a model for bitcoin’s future. In other words, it’s conceivable that the way we look at PayPal today is a sort of best-case scenario for leading digital currency that many people see as a faltering experiment.
Consider the following.
PayPal’s Bank-Like Evolution
It still sounds almost ludicrous, but lately, legitimate debates have been about whether it’s wise to replace a bank with PayPal. Realistically not too many people are making that full transition. Still, the fact it’s being discussed speaks to the fact that PayPal has embraced a handful of bank-like features that at least make it possible to treat it accordingly. The idea that one’s bitcoin wallet could handle direct deposits, check deposits, and even issue debit cards loaded with bitcoin-based, usable money must appeal to bitcoin advocates. This may, in some ways, be an ideal future for bitcoin.
PayPal For Digital Purchases
Most people generally understand that PayPal makes buying things online easier. But a specific focus on purely digital purchases should be noted. For instance, some of the most popular streaming services allow for PayPal-based transactions. Subscribing to Hulu, as an example, can be done without ever entering credit card information. Similarly, some of the busiest online gaming platforms work the same way. There is, in fact, a whole category of PayPal sites within the casino business online, once again welcoming digital payment for a digital product or service. It’s in this space that bitcoin seems particularly well-suited and where it has made some inroads already (such as in gaming).
PayPal Checkout
This is a quick point, but the idea of PayPal being highly useful for digital purchases is the fact that many sites – for digital purposes or material purchases, now have a PayPal Checkout button that makes the process even quicker. Given that one of the true barriers to mass bitcoin adoption is that conducting a transaction can be somewhat complicated when you’re just starting, this seems like a very valuable precedent. Should online point-of-sale tech regarding bitcoin reach anything approaching the level of convenience of PayPal Checkout options, bitcoin will suddenly become much more appealing.
A Reputation for Security
PayPal has a reputation for being safe, perhaps the most important thing for bitcoin to cultivate. Right now, bitcoin has a reputation for intending to be safe. That doesn’t mean that it necessarily falls short – just that people understand it’s intended to be a secure option but haven’t built up the personal trust just yet. Unfortunately for bitcoin advocates, following PayPal’s example in this area may be more about time than anything else; it’s not a simple technological shift. However, it’s still worth noting that if bitcoin can ultimately establish a similar reputation, it will be on its way to a more useful future.
