Microsoft Hasn't Ditched Bitcoin Support After All

Microsoft says that message on its website about not supporting Bitcoin is a mistake, and that nothing has changed. The support, which was added back in late December and allows customers to buy content using the digital currency, hasn't changed, and the message saying it wasn't supported has been corrected. How such a message accidentally got posted on the website isn't clear.

Microsoft announced support for Bitcoin payments through BitPay back in December 2014, allowing Xbox users and more to buy digital content using the cryptocurrency rather than regular cash. Users were able to add funds to their Microsoft account by redeeming Bitcoin via their digital wallet, and once the funds were added, they could be used to purchase whatever digital content the user wanted.

That seemed to change when a page popped up on Microsoft's website saying, "You can no longer redeem Bitcoin in your Microsoft account," and that such a change applied to Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile (adding some confusion into the mix). There's no mistaking such a message — it clearly said Bitcoin support was gone, and many users were upset about the change.

While the message was clear, it was also wrong. Microsoft has confirmed that Bitcoin support remains, with a spokesperson saying, in part, "We continue to support Bitcoin for adding money to your Microsoft Account which can be used for purchasing content in the Windows and Xbox stores." The message had been "inadvertently posted," though no explanation about how that happened was given.

SOURCE: Venture Beat