Twitter rolls out tips feature globally and adds support for Bitcoin

The option will appear as a cash icon on profiles.
The social network is also exploring non-fungible token authentication (Yui Mok/PA)
PA Archive
Jamie Harris23 September 2021

Twitter is rolling out its tipping feature globally and will allow Bitcoin in its latest move to help creators generate an income via the platform.

After testing the feature with a small group of users in the US since May, the social network is now making it available to everyone.

The option will appear as a cash icon on profiles, which links up to several third party online payment services, including Cash App and Patreon.

Twitter said it would not take a cut from payments.

Twitter’s tip feature (Twitter/PA)

Cryptocurrency payments will also be enabled for the first time, using the Strike application built on the Bitcoin Lightning Network, which is currently only available to people in the US and El Salvador.

For the moment, tips will be limited to iOS, with Android set to follow soon.

“We want everyone on Twitter to have access to pathways to get paid,” Esther Crawford, Twitter’s staff product manager, said.

“Digital currencies that encourage more people to participate in the economy and help people send each other money across borders and with as little friction as possible help us get there.”

In a press briefing, the firm said it was also exploring a non-fungible token (NFT) authentication idea, which may appear as some form of stamp on people’s profiles, along with the ability to track and showcase their NFT ownership.

An NFT is a limited edition asset which is sold without any physical form via blockchain, effectively providing certification of ownership.

The tokens have been hailed as a way to sell digital artwork and assets.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in