You may have heard of cryptocurrencies - online currencies (Bitcoin, dogecoin, litecoin, etc) that have recently been making headlines. As a cryptocurrency enthusiast, I would like to suggest something that might make SO a bit better - cryptocurrency tipping.

What is it?

Cryptocurrency tipping is where, as an "internet thumbs up" of sorts, people send small amounts (often cents of fractions of a cent) to a user in a comment. It is a great way to thank someone for a very well written, interesting, or cool post. For more info, check out changetip, a service widely used on twitter and reddit to do just this.

Why?

We all have our favorite posts. And for those posts, perhaps you feel an upvote doesn't do it justice. With cryptocurrency tipping, I could send the author a small amount of money, in the form of litecoin, bitcoin, dogecoin, etc. Not a huge amount - but enough to give them a huge thanks - an internet high five, if you will.

I can see people saying this goes against the spirit of SO. However, I disagree. It just adds another layer of ways to show appreciation.

First, it would not make using stack overflow about getting money. The tips are so small (on r/dogecoin, a subreddit, I generally see tips of 100 doge, or two cents) that one doesn't make much money - it is an impractical way to gain money, thus one wouldn't use SO solely to get money.

Also, some might say that it would lead to lo quality questions seeking solely tips. I disagree - I am not suggesting that we do away with badges and reputation. A user knows that bad questions will get downvoted. There still would be (if anything, more) incentive to ask good questions.

So, in conclusion, I think we should add cryptocurrency tipping to SO - it would lead to a great way to show appreciation, lead to higher quality questions, and not be detrimental to the spirit of SO.

Example

As a question:

[Well written, thought out, enjoyable question. One of the best you've seen.]

As a comment

Great question! @ExampleTipBot here's 100 dogecoin on me. Thanks!