Although not a completely new idea, Wayforpay.com has announced that it will begin allowing bitcoin payments for food delivery.

Wayforpay is a Ukrainian payment platform with online shopping carts for websites. The company is growing with the announcement that it will add Bitcoin as a payment option to the EcoPizza website. The site does not accept bitcoin directly. The payment platform converts Bitcoin to the local Ukrainian Hryvnia (or UHA). Could this be seen as the company moving towards greater Bitcoin integration? Only time will tell and will likely depend on the frequency of bitcoin being used as payment.

How the Wayforpay System Works

In a blog written by the company, they instruct their users to make sure they select the appropriate payment option (Bitcoin) on the payment page. This will generate a QR-code which can be scanned by a mobile wallet like Mycelium. Once the user sends payment in Bitcoin, the retailer receives payment in UHA. In their official statement, the company said:

We strive to meet the high expectations of our customers, not only in terms of providing a wide selection of food and fast delivery but also to introduce innovative ways of payment [for] convenient online ordering. Together with our partners, we [are] launching a new service. [This service will allow for] orders using Bitcoin. Using the new payment option does not require any further action on our part.

The company noted it will use the same 2.5% transaction fee that it already charges for credit card payments. It added: “Payment shall be credited to the account in UAH [along] with other payment methods. We are ready to please our clients! Everyone has [an] opportunity to place an order with Bitcoin.”

Ukraine is Making Progress in Bitcoin Integration

This comes on the coattails of PrivatBank announcing last year that it would also allow payment settlements in Bitcoin. In an article written by CCN.com’s Samburaj Das, the writer describes the steps PrivatBank has taken integrating Bitcoin into its platform. It should also be noted that CCN.com writer George Donnelly reported on Bitcoin ATM’s within the country and found most were in fact, working and using bitcoin.

U.S. Customers Still Waiting

While the progress in the Ukraine is a big step forward, American users are not so lucky. In the states there seems to be no such work in progress. While there are third party vendors like Bitstamp and Coinbase, Direct Bitcoin integration by established institutions (like credit cards and banks)still looks like its years away. Buying Bitcoins quickly and directly still remains a hurdle to overcome. While Americans can use services like LocalBitcoins. A fast reliable mainstream solution is still needed. While the Ukraine enjoys Pizza, Atm’s and direct integration, Americans are still waiting for funds to clear.

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