BitInstant temporarily shuts down service to work on next upgrade

BitInstant, the international bitcoin payment processor, has temporarily shut while the next version of the service is worked on.

AccessTimeIconJul 13, 2013 at 10:43 a.m. UTC
Updated Sep 10, 2021 at 11:26 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

BitInstant, the international bitcoin payment processor for exchanges and merchants, has temporarily closed shop for maintenance. The usual market interface has been replaced with a statement explaining the reasons for this move. The company says that everyone it has is working on the changes to the service and that customer support staff are on hand to answer queries about current transactions that have been place.

The BitInstant website is currently displaying list of answers to questions it expects customers will be asking in light of the service having been suddenly withdrawn. It starts off by saying:

As many of you know, we recently re-launched our website. During this process we introduced many new features and changes to the way customers interact with our services. This process has been a learning experience, and you've provided a lot of great feedback on how things work and how they could work better. We value this input and the insights that it's led us to and we want to ensure that as we work, you, our customers, don't feel the growing pains associated with these improvements. For this reason, we've decided that the best way to proceed is to close shop and dedicate the entire team's efforts to creating the next generation of BitInstant.

In terms of how long the service updates will take, BitInstant states that it isn't sure, and added "We won't be finished tomorrow, but we're working diligently to get this done."

Customers who need to discuss an ongoing issues are invited to email the customer service department at support@bitinstant.com, but the company asks that people restrict contact to only support queries and not to make general queries.

We have reached out to BitInstant for comment and will update this story as and when we know more.

If you're affected by this story, tell us about it in the comments or on Twitter.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.