Uber Switches to Bitcoin in Argentina After Govt Blocks Uber Credit Cards

The Argentinian government blocked credit card companies from dealing with Uber, causing the ridesharing company’s national branch to use Bitcoin instead.
The city of Buenos Aires issued orders both to the national communications agency (ENACOM) and credit card companies to block the Uber app and deny the company use of credit card service. This prompted Uber to partner with Swiss Bitcoin company Xapo to enable payments through Bitcoin debit cards.
Part of an ongoing war against Uber The ride-sharing company has faced harsh resistance in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires. Taxi unions sued the city and Uber, resulting in a judge issuing an injunction to stop ride-sharing services in the city. Later, both a prosecutor and a judge ordered ENACOM to block the Uber app within the city limits. Finally, both the consumer protection agency of Buenos Aires and a judge ordered credit card companies to cease doing business with Uber.
As a response to this perceived threat to the taxi industry, the transportation agency of Buenos Aires has announced development of a taxi app. This app, dubbed BA Taxi, is expected to help provide a government-sanctioned answer to the convenience of Uber’s app.

This post was published at Coin Telegraph on 2016-07-06.

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