Twitter’s tipping feature – now called Tips – is launching to everyone with more payment options to choose from, including crypto-currencies.
People drive the conversation on Twitter and it was essential to making it easier for the community to support each other beyond Follows, Retweets, and Likes. Tips is an easy way to support the incredible voices on the service. This is a first step for the platform to create new ways for people to receive and show support on Twitter – with money.
People already drop links to their payment profiles in their bios and Tweets. Tips offers one fixed spot on an individual’s profile with a link to their Cash App, Patreon, Venmo and other platforms where people can extend their support.
Whether it’s tipping favourite accounts because people adore their commentary, sending some love to emerging comedy creators for their hilarious Tweets, helping small business owners through difficult times, or contributing to important causes — whatever matter people choose to support, Tips is here to help them do it.
Initially, Tips will be rolled out on iOS and then also launched on Android over the coming weeks.
How does it work?
People can recognize that an account has turned on Tips if they see this icon next to the Follow button on the profile page. Once the icon is tapped, people will find a list of payment services or platforms that the account has enabled to be utilized. People can then select a preferred option from the services* available so far:
- Bandcamp
- Cash App
- Chipper
- Patreon
- Razorpay
- Wealthsimple
- Venmo
Moreover, Twitter is adding new services to the existing list: GoFundMe, an online fundraising platform – and PicPay, a Brazilian mobile payments platform.
Once people tap the service they want to access, they will be directed to the selected app to send funds. Twitter doesn’t take any share of the Tips transfers.
Tipping with Bitcoin over the Lightning Network
In addition to the services currently enabled through Tips, people can now also seamlessly tip with Bitcoin using Strike – a payment application built on the Bitcoin Lightning Network that allows people to send and receive Bitcoin. Strike offers instant and free payments globally.
Twitter aims to enable its entire community to have access to pathways to get paid. Digital currencies that encourage more people to participate in the economy and help people send each other money across borders and with as little friction as possible.
Adding a Bitcoin or Ethereum address to Tips
When people enable Tips on their profile, they can now also add their Bitcoin and Ethereum addresses. Individuals can copy those addresses and paste them into a Bitcoin or Ethereum wallet of their choice to send a payment directly.
For step-by-step instructions on how to enable the Tips feature and how to send tips, Twitter’sHelp Center here.
Individuals must be 18+ years old to enable Tips or send someone a tip and agree to Twitter’s new General Tipping policy, which is designed to keep people safe on the service. This policy will guide Twitter’s enforcement actions and, as with all of the platform’s rules, Twitter will continue to publicly iterate on this work as more people use Tips globally.
*Payment service availability and features vary by region.
