Microsoft to accept payments made in bitcoins

Microsoft Corporation has started to accept payments made using bitcoins in a trend that shows the virtual currency is increasingly making its way in to mainstream businesses.

Bitcoins can now be used to add funds to Microsoft accounts that can then be spent on a variety of Microsoft services.

According to a BBC report, the US technology giant has made no formal announcement about the move but added a page to its customer support pages detailing how the virtual cash could be used to top up a Microsoft account.

The cash can be used to buy content such as games and videos on Xbox game consoles, add apps and services to Windows phones or to buy Microsoft software.

Paypal, Dell, Expedia, Newegg and many other companies are already accepting payments made by bitcoins.

The crypto-currency hit a high in December 2013, when each one was briefly worth more than $1,100. Since then their value has dropped steadily and each one is now worth about $357.