With the price of Bitcoins surging, the popularity of the crypocurrency is undeniably increasing.
As more people use Bitcoin for transaction, more businesses are trying to tap into those customers by supporting payments using that cryptocurrency.
One of which, is ProtonMail.
The popular anonymous email service operating from Switzerland, is known to encrypt emails by default. When its users are exchanging emails, for example, ProtonMail makes those messages to undergo end-to-end encryption (E2EE) process.
ProtonMail had already offered unofficial support for users wanting to pay for its premium offering with the cryptocurrency, and as an informal method for sending donation (via a BTC donation address users could manually send coin to). But with the update, ProtonMail has set up an automated process for that.
It noted that the general increase in Bitcoin transaction over the years has made its prior manual system unworkable. According to ProtonMail, Bitcoin's increasing popularity among mainstream users will force merchants to support the cryptocurrency.
ProtonMail in supporting Bitcoin is a change that indicates a broader trend. In fact, it was almost mandatory that ProtonMail develops its own dedicated and automated system. So its support for Bitcoin here is to enhance the stability of its business.
ProtonMail describes Bitcoin as a way to purchase "secure email anonymously". While Bitcoin isn't necessarily anonymous since every transaction is written down in the blockchain, but the technology adds a layer of obfuscation, and it's more private than using something a method such as a credit card or online payments systems.
"We feel this is indicative of a broader trend, where the increased mainstream interest in Bitcoin will make it harder for merchants not to support Bitcoin, which will lead to more Bitcoin support, more transactions, and perhaps the continued appreciation of Bitcoin prices."
ProtonMail also said that it views on holding cryptocurrencies as a strategic hedge against "the fragility and uncertainty of the traditional financial sector", and saying that it is also holding a "significant portion" of its reserves in Bitcoin.
Not every ProtonMail users are happy with the change as they are now forced to adopt Bitcoins just because people love the privacy offered by this mode of payment. However, this is a good news for cryptocurrency fans.
ProtonMail noted that "Starting from version 3.11 of ProtonMail it is now possible to pay for premium ProtonMail secure email account using Bitcoin."