Bitcoin has been compared to a chorus composed of many voices, with each member producing something unique for the wider network. Miners and node operators provide security, traders inject liquidity, exchanges build on/off ramps, merchants offer outlets to spend Bitcoin and users pay fees to access block space. Open source developers are also fundamental to Bitcoin’s success. They bring peer review, documentation, improved operability and new functionality to Bitcoin’s technology.

Each of these actors have economic incentives which drive their behavior. Funding for open source projects is traditionally derived from companies who benefit from that software, and CardCoins is no exception. Bitcoin Core is an essential piece of our infrastructure. Without carefully tested “full-node” software, neither the Bitcoin network nor our business would be possible.

To that end, CardCoins and...

CardCoins is proud to serve all demographics, including those commonly referred to as cash-preferred or underbanked. This group potentially stands to gain more than any other from the advent of cryptocurrency, yet they also face some of the most daunting challenges when it comes to accessing the crypto economy. After studying the marketplace, CardCoins identified non-reloadable prepaid gift cards as an immediate solution to bridge the gap between cash and Bitcoin.

We’ve put together an interactive map packed with location data to help you find some retailers in your area which stock gift cards accepted on CardCoins. Keep in mind this map only represents a fraction of all available locations, and it’s already up to 59,000 today.

You will find the locations clustered–either use your scroll wheel, tap/click, or double tap/click the clusters to zoom in. Once you’ve zoomed in to see...

Over the last month the CardCoins team has closely tracked the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the United States. On March 16th 2020, the White House released guidelines which include specific recommendations about social distancing and discretionary shopping.

Here at CardCoins we’re especially honored to serve those for whom cryptocurrency is a financial necessity. Many retailers which stock other essential items, like gas stations, supermarkets and pharmacies, also have gift card sections where gift cards accepted at CardCoins can be found. Phone ahead to confirm opening hours and supply stocks for all items in order to minimize travel between locations.

In addition to observing all local and federal guidance, we recommend the following safety measures specific to gift card handling:

• Wear gloves while in contact with gift card packaging, or consider sanitizing with...

Incomm prepaid gift cards are currently experiencing a system wide outage which is preventing them from being successfully used or activated. The issue was confirmed by our merchant services provider as well as directly by Incomm.

Incomm was unable to provide a timeline for resolution. You may still be able to check your card balance online. To find out more information, please call the customer support hotline listed on the back of your gift card.

The Bitcoin Cash network will be subject to two competing consensus-breaking rule changes on November 15th, 16:40:00 GMT (timestamp 1542300000). Both Bitcoin ABC v0.18.3 and Bitcoin SV v0.1.0 contain modifications to consensus critical code that are incompatible with one another and the preexisting rule set. These hard forking changes could produce up to 3 independent blockchains: one which follows the old ruleset, another which follows BCHABC and a third which tracks BCHSV.

While CardCoins does not accept user deposits, we do make outbound payments to our customers. To eliminate the possibility of broadcasting transactions that are replayed or made stale by way of reorganization, CardCoins will temporarily suspend Bitcoin Cash orders until further notice. Outstanding Bitcoin Cash orders that have not completed payment before November 15th 12:40:00 GMT will be cancelled.