Sunday, April 7, 2013

The easiest way to send money abroad: Bitcoins


Money transfers can be really a problem if you don’t live in the SEPA or Dollar area. Bitcoins can help you to send your money in a fast and easy way.

With the growth of globalization, an increasing number of people want to experience the thrill of an adventure overseas. Some of them are looking for a job, due to the high unemployment rate in their own country. Others just want to take a brake and have a nice holiday. All of them, sooner or later, would have to deal with money transactions between different currency areas.

In the past, the only way to take money with you, while traveling abroad, was cash. However, that made you a perfect target for robbery. The same problem was present if someone wanted to send part of his salary back home. With the technological development of the last decades, different services are available for sending or receiving money in a foreign country. They all use the bank system network, so your money will need a couple of working days or weeks to reach its destination. But sometimes you need your money just right now.

If you have a son or daughter traveling the world with a backpack, you probably know what it is all about. These young people are populating the squares of Europe, Asia or Australia. They worked all year round to earn enough money for their journey and they all are well prepared for the big world. Or are they?



Most parents will not be amused, but also not very much surprised, when the first SMS from their abroad child will pop up asking for help and money. Texts like:”Mum, I lost my credit card in Florence” and “Dad, the ATM is all in Chinese and it ate my card” are not uncommon messages that are sent home. Apparently, they most likely end with words like:”I’m hungry”, “I’m thirsty” and “I need money right now”.

Typically, Mum or Dad would text back: ”Sorry, son. Money is on its way. It will take a couple of days. Keep strong; catch some fish to eat and find yourself a nice bridge to sleep under for the night”.

It becomes a different story when you use Bitcoins. Modern parents already have, or can create, a Bitcoin wallet. In a few minutes and a couple of mouse clicks they can buy Bitcoins from an established internet Bitcoins service provider. The purchased Bitcoins can then be sent to their child and they will be almost instantly in their child’s Bitcoin wallet.

At this point your traveling child will no longer need to catch fish or search for a bridge. He or she will only need to look on the internet what Bitcoin services or private exchangers are active in the area and change Bitcoins in local currency. Or, even better, he or she can take a look around for a hostel or fast food restaurant accepting Bitcoins directly.

This is a much easier, faster, cheaper and funnier way for international money transfers. 

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