American Express connects to Abra’s bitcoin wallet

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American Express is giving its card customers an easy way to transact in cryptocurrency.

Amex has established as a funding option for Abra, a global money-transfer app based on bitcoin and blockchain technology. Amex users may purchase bitcoin with a credit or prepaid card and send funds immediately to any other Abra user worldwide, Abra announced Tuesday.

American Express cards stack
An American Express credit card is displayed for a photograph in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Credit-card firms caught off-guard by U.S. Senate passage of curbs on debit fees are facing what one executive sees as a "volcanic" eruption of legislation, including possible limits on interest rates. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

Amex will be the fourth funding option on Abra’s menu, alongside cash, bitcoin or a linked bank account, Abra said. Amex customers may purchase bitcoin in increments of up to $200 a day and $1,000 a month for a fee of 4% of the transaction, according to Mountain View, Calif.-based Abra, which launched in 2014.

Funds sent via Abra through American Express are accessible within minutes, Abra said in a blog post. Recipients may opt to receive the funds in a bank account in the U.S. or the Philippines; they may also receive the funds as cash through an Abra teller in hundreds of cities worldwide.

Abra made Amex funding available on Tuesday to a small group of users and plans to roll it out widely soon.

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