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"To test Switzerland appetite for bitcoin" It will more likely test the appetite for a poor user experience, high spreads and fees and be a conclusion that peo

"To test Switzerland appetite for bitcoin" It will more likely test the appetite for a poor user experience, high spreads and fees and be a conclusion that people don't have much appetite for cryptocurrency

atemerev 10y ago
I'd say it fits closely to Swiss values. On international level, bank secrecy is less a thing than it was in the past, but nationally, for Swiss citizens, nobody can know the details of one's bank account. Even the Swiss tax authorities. Also, you can buy and sell gold bars anonymously here (I did it once with 100g bar in my bank — no questions were asked and no papers needed). So, why not Bitcoin.
- cloudjacker 10y ago
  yeah you are talking about the concept of bitcoin, I am talking about the concept of putting bitcoin in an antiquated vending machine for buying train tickets (has any one of those EVER impressed you?), one which has a 500 franc daily limit for buying bitcoin (5000 franc yearly limit), and using it to gauge people's interest in bitcoin on a national level this is an "OOPS" almost as big as when your company spends two hours thinking of a hashtag that nobody will ever use.
  - tribaal 10y ago
    > in an antiquated vending machine for buying train tickets (has any one of those EVER impressed you?) I don't know if you've ever used one but the Swiss ticket machines are nowhere near antiquated. They are all touch screen devices that support contactless payements as well as all the usual payment options and then some (reka cheques?), and offer a (relatively) good UI in at least 4 different languages. I'd add that the rest of their IT-enabled infrastructure is really good - apps that let you buy electronic tickets for all major mobile plaforms, RFID-enabled travel passes, and up-to-the minute train live tracking. Compared to every other country I've travelled to they are really advanced. Granted, I've not been to Japan or Singapore, but I've otherwise travelled quite a lot. Source: Am Swiss.
    - cloudjacker 10y ago
      Thats good to know and I'm rooting for it, if history is any indicator it will just turn people off of bitcoin. Most bitcoin vending machines have a variety of poor user experiences let alone the offered prices and limits. So far all I know about this one is the limit is low.
    - sschueller 10y ago
      The machines are actually very high tech although the UI may not give that impression sometimes. They withstand extreme weather conditions, vandalism and have to secure a large amount of cash. They are built like tanks and anchored deep into the ground.
      - tribaal 10y ago
        You are absolutely right, the amount of engineering that went into making them is impressive. Regarding the UI - despite not looking "high-tech" (no animations at all -not even transitions- simple basic color scheme), I find it very good: I live in a remote village, and grandmas here have no problems using the ticket machine, even for unusual trips. Of course they usually pay with coins, and that part takes ages ;)

atemerev 10y ago

I'd say it fits closely to Swiss values. On international level, bank secrecy is less a thing than it was in the past, but nationally, for Swiss citizens, nobody can know the details of one's bank account. Even the Swiss tax authorities. Also, you can buy and sell gold bars anonymously here (I did it once with 100g bar in my bank — no questions were asked and no papers needed). So, why not Bitcoin.

cloudjacker 10y ago
yeah you are talking about the concept of bitcoin, I am talking about the concept of putting bitcoin in an antiquated vending machine for buying train tickets (has any one of those EVER impressed you?), one which has a 500 franc daily limit for buying bitcoin (5000 franc yearly limit), and using it to gauge people's interest in bitcoin on a national level this is an "OOPS" almost as big as when your company spends two hours thinking of a hashtag that nobody will ever use.
- tribaal 10y ago
  > in an antiquated vending machine for buying train tickets (has any one of those EVER impressed you?) I don't know if you've ever used one but the Swiss ticket machines are nowhere near antiquated. They are all touch screen devices that support contactless payements as well as all the usual payment options and then some (reka cheques?), and offer a (relatively) good UI in at least 4 different languages. I'd add that the rest of their IT-enabled infrastructure is really good - apps that let you buy electronic tickets for all major mobile plaforms, RFID-enabled travel passes, and up-to-the minute train live tracking. Compared to every other country I've travelled to they are really advanced. Granted, I've not been to Japan or Singapore, but I've otherwise travelled quite a lot. Source: Am Swiss.
  - cloudjacker 10y ago
    Thats good to know and I'm rooting for it, if history is any indicator it will just turn people off of bitcoin. Most bitcoin vending machines have a variety of poor user experiences let alone the offered prices and limits. So far all I know about this one is the limit is low.
  - sschueller 10y ago
    The machines are actually very high tech although the UI may not give that impression sometimes. They withstand extreme weather conditions, vandalism and have to secure a large amount of cash. They are built like tanks and anchored deep into the ground.
    - tribaal 10y ago
      You are absolutely right, the amount of engineering that went into making them is impressive. Regarding the UI - despite not looking "high-tech" (no animations at all -not even transitions- simple basic color scheme), I find it very good: I live in a remote village, and grandmas here have no problems using the ticket machine, even for unusual trips. Of course they usually pay with coins, and that part takes ages ;)