I asked my VPS provider if they would accept bitcoin \ stacker news ~bitcoin

I asked my VPS provider if they would accept bitcoin

353 sats \ 16 comments \ @ek 6 Apr 2023 bitcoin

translation (using ChatGPT):

Hello,

I was wondering if you have received any requests for Bitcoin as a payment method (for example, using the Lightning Network).

I am very interested in using Bitcoin for payments because it would make it easier for me. Paying by bank transfer is very cumbersome because I have to log in to my online banking, copy the data from the template, and then confirm the transaction with my app. Additionally, bank transfers take several days to process. It's also not very private.

With Bitcoin payment, all I would have to do is scan a QR code.

The advantage for you would be that you could accept more payment methods and consequently open up a new customer group. Transactions would be instant with the Lightning Network, and you wouldn't have any costs (if you have costs because of transactions with your bank), since the sender pays the transaction fee (which is usually less than 1 cent with the Lightning Network). If you don't want to hold Bitcoin, you can always exchange it immediately for EUR.

One possible solution would be BTCPayServer: https://btcpayserver.org/

Best regards, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,

There have actually been internal considerations regarding this matter. So far, the effort (including the need to clarify tax and organizational issues) to implement Bitcoin as a payment method and our risk assessment did not justify the expected benefit.

Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with more positive news at least in the short term.

Best regards, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Did I do a good job mentioning the benefits for a merchant to accept Bitcoin?

Would you also have recommened BTCPayServer? To be honest, I am not even sure if BTCPayServer supports instant conversion to fiat. Maybe someone can enlighten me?

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13 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby 6 Apr 2023

Good work. We all need to be doing more of this. We can eventually annoy businesses into accepting Bitcoin.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @selfish_gene 8 Apr 2023

заставить? в смысле... ты как фрс говоришь... заставить пользоваться цифровым $... биткоин это свобода выбора без альтернативы.

25 sats \ 4 replies \ @DarthCoin 6 Apr 2023

https://bitcoin-vps.com/ - massive list of Bitcoin VPS

1 sat \ 3 replies \ @ek OP 6 Apr 2023

I know. I already switched to a different VPS provider because of other reasons.

However, I still like my old VPS provider. Unlimited download and upload. Very good support by CEO personally who answers within hours.

So I was more wondering if I could have done a better job at pitching bitcoin to a merchant like this.

Also, I didn't respond yet. What would you say to his response?

3 sats \ 0 replies \ @pillar 6 Apr 2023

I wouldn't push further. You planted a seed, which is great. Now be patient and let it grow.

3 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin 6 Apr 2023

No, you've done a good job. Keep pushing.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek OP 6 Apr 2023

Mhh okay, thanks I guess haha

I thought I could have mentioned more than "just" "easier, cheaper, faster"

5 sats \ 0 replies \ @random_ 6 Apr 2023

I think you did a good job anticipating their needs by suggesting btcpayserver.

In the future, I would bring that up as a free solution but also mention custodial options. Businesses usually want to minimize their project scope. It sounds like they do not want the tech debt from self hosting btcpayserver.

3 sats \ 0 replies \ @tomlaies 6 Apr 2023

Omg, that's pretty surprising! Normally, utilities companies are just sleepy backwaters with 0 motivation to put effort in and just want to lay back and collect checks. I would have never thought they were already thinking about it

3 sats \ 0 replies \ @0260378aef 6 Apr 2023

I think I started paying for VPS in bitcoin in 2014, and I feel sure that these were one of the very first classes of businesses accepting it, even 2+ years earlier than that.

Just move to one that accepts BTC, look especially for the ones that have btcpayserver (and don't use something absolutely awful/unethical like bitpay) because of the LN integration.

3 sats \ 3 replies \ @monk_cactus 6 Apr 2023

props to you for putting in this work :)

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @ek OP 6 Apr 2023

"work" haha. took me maybe 5-10 minutes. but i get what you mean.

maybe next time i just use chatgpt... wait, why not try it out now?

Dear [VPS Provider],

I hope this message finds you well. I'm writing to inquire about your current payment options for your VPS services. As someone who values privacy and security, I'm very interested in paying with bitcoin. I believe that offering bitcoin as a payment option would be beneficial for both your business and your customers.

Bitcoin is a decentralized, peer-to-peer digital currency that provides fast and secure transactions with low fees. It is becoming increasingly popular as a payment method, especially for online transactions where privacy and security are a concern. Accepting bitcoin would not only attract more customers who prefer to use this payment method, but also help to differentiate your business from your competitors.

I understand that there may be some concerns about the volatility of bitcoin, but there are ways to mitigate this risk, such as using payment processors that automatically convert bitcoin into fiat currency at the time of payment. Additionally, accepting bitcoin would also provide your business with an additional revenue stream and potentially reduce the cost of payment processing.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could consider adding bitcoin as a payment option for your VPS services. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards, [Your Name]

That took me now literally 10 seconds. And I would say this is really decent

15 sats \ 1 reply \ @monk_cactus 6 Apr 2023

sometimes (at least for me), choosing to do something even if you're unsure if it will make a difference requires a lot of mental effort (work). perhaps, props to you for taking the initiative would have been more accurate :)

2 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek OP 6 Apr 2023

ah, yes! I was thinking to do this for a long while but as you explained, I didn't.

In the past, I was also afraid of people laughing or not taking me seirous if I mention bitcoin. But now I don't care anymore. We will see who is laughing at the end haha

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @l0k18 6 Apr 2023

There's loads of bitcoin accepting VPS.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek OP 6 Apr 2023

You missed my point like darth haha

Maybe I should have put these questions at the top:

Did I do a good job mentioning the benefits for a merchant to accept Bitcoin?

Would you also have recommened BTCPayServer? To be honest, I am not even sure if BTCPayServer supports instant conversion to fiat. Maybe someone can enlighten me?