Coinbase Strikes Partnership for Crypto Gift Cards in Europe

(Bloomberg) -- Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Inc. is rolling out a new feature that will allow customers in Europe to cash out their crypto coins for digital gift cards.

The firm is partnering with London-based startup WeGift to give users the option to convert virtual currency into gift cards from more than 120 retailers. The program will initially only be available to customers in the U.K., Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Australia, though Coinbase ultimately plans to expand into other countries.

“Whether it’s converting Bitcoin into Uber credits or Ethereum into an ASOS e-gift card, customers will have greater flexibility and control over how they use their crypto,” San Francisco-based Coinbase said in a statement. “With the launch of e-gift cards, customers have a new option to spend their crypto balances, realizing its value to buy tangible things or experiences.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Lily Katz in New York at lkatz31@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Catherine Larkin at clarkin4@bloomberg.net, Dave Liedtka, Brendan Walsh

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