WordPress, the web’s most popular blogging system, has removed bitcoin from its payments options at checkout.
The open-source platform, which supports over 60 million websites, became one of bitcoin’s first high-profile advocates when it announced it would accept the digital currency for premium features in November 2012.
It had listed the currency alongside PayPal and major credit and debit cards, however the bitcoin tab has now mysteriously vanished. Third-party plugins that use bitcoin still appear to be running.
The original WordPress payment interface in 2012 (left) and today, without bitcoin (right).A blog post outlining the digital currency’s benefits, including that fact it “[runs] on open source software, just like WordPress”, now redirects to information on traditional payment methods.
BitPay partnership
Despite the disappearance, BitPay, the company that exchanges WordPress’ bitcoin payments into fiat currency, still lists the platform as one of 50,000 partners on its homepage.
Additionally, a search on the WordPress Plugin Directory brings up 103 plugins related to the digital currency, including PayStand.
Cryptocurrency tipping on Gravatar, a universal avatar service owned by WordPress’ parent company Automattic, is also still active. Users were given the ability to add their bitcoin, litecoin and dogecoin addresses into their Gravatar profiles early last year.
Some bitcoin-accepting companies have reported a lacklustre performance following the initial PR boost, with Overstock revising its sales figures from $10–$15m to $3m as purchases slowed in 2014.
Whether this change signals poor bitcoin sales for WordPress or an unrelated move away from digital currencies, remains unclear.
WordPress and BitPay have been contacted for comment, however no responses had been received at press time.
Disclaimer: CoinDesk founder Shakil Khan is an investor in BitPay.
Featured image: 360b / Shutterstock.com