Microsoft no longer loves Bitcoin? Why is it canceling some support?

Microsoft, the tech giant that announced it would accept Bitcoin as a payment method at the end of 2014, has now decided to no longer accept Bitcoin for certain services in the Microsoft Store. Although users' existing Bitcoin balances can still be used, Microsoft no longer allows users to deposit Bitcoin. Is this a direct result of the ongoing Bitcoin scaling debate, or are there other reasons?

When we open the Microsoft Store page, we see that Microsoft has clearly stated that Bitcoin payments will no longer be accepted, and the scope applies to Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile products. Microsoft's official website has not yet explained the reason for this decision. We can guess that there are three reasons: 1. The volatility of Bitcoin prices (less likely); 2. The ongoing block size debate; 3. Or simply because of the lack of demand for Bitcoin payments;

The news also sparked heated discussions on the r/Bitcoin forum, with some commenting that Blockstream and the "sluggish" Bitcoin Core development should be held responsible. The current Bitcoin block size is too small to make Bitcoin a major payment network, and the chaotic state of Bitcoin software development may have worried big companies like Microsoft.

In addition, the mainstream media’s extensive coverage of the block size debate has cast a negative spotlight on Bitcoin, and many people have lost confidence in Bitcoin. All this negative attention is not good for Bitcoin, and Microsoft Store’s removal of Bitcoin as a payment method may also trigger other companies to follow suit.

Of course, the volatility of Bitcoin prices is a reason people often tend to refer to. However, the Microsoft Store accesses Bitcoin through a third party, and Microsoft actually receives fiat currency, which protects them from volatility, so volatility has little impact on Microsoft's decision this time.

Lack of trading may be a major reason

However, it is important to note that this decision only affects the Microsoft Store at this time, and the Bitcoin payment option is still available in the Windows Store. Visit the website through this link, and the Bitcoin payment option is still open to digital currency enthusiasts. Of course, this situation may change at any time.

The most plausible explanation for this decision may be that there are too few transactions using Bitcoin to purchase Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile apps.

What do you think of Microsoft’s decision? Is it something Bitcoin users should be worried about?

Original article: http://bitcoinist.net/microsoft-store-partially-drops-bitcoin-support/
Author: Jp Buntinx
Compilation: Overnight porridge
Source (translation): Babbitt Information (http://www.8btc.com/microsoft-store-bitcoin)