Quote from: Come-from-Beyond on March 01, 2015, 09:06:43 PM

I don't assume that. I just point to the fact that bitcoiners compare Bitcoin to low-end bank tech trying to look cool.

Nobody's trying. It's just that currently, the vast majority of all online payments is being done through low-end bank tech. This simple practical fact determines what Bitcoin can or should be realistically compared against.

I understand that credit cards and debit cards are two very different things. But from a merchant's perspective, the practical differences are only marginal. And in either case, they lose in every possible aspect to Bitcoin by a mile.

For completeness and fair comparison, let's add paypal, wire transfer and cash money in there as well:

Transaction time (the time it takes to process a payment)
Bitcoin: 1-2 sec
Credit card: 3-5 sec
Debit card: 3-5 sec
Paypal: 3-5 sec
Wire transfer: one business day to one month (depending on involved banks and location)
Cash: 1-20 sec (depending on how fast you can count)

Money arrival time (the time at which the merchant actually receives the money and can spend it)
Bitcoin: same as transaction time (1-2 sec)
Credit card: several business days
Debit card: several business days
Paypal: same as transaction time (3-5 sec)
Wire transfer: same as transaction time (one business day to one month)
Cash: same as transaction time (1-20 sec)

Confirmation time (the time at which the merchant can be sure the payment won't be reversed)
Bitcoin: 10 minutes
Credit card: 6+ months
Debit card: typically 1~3 months with most banks
Paypal: 3+ months
Wire transfer: same as transaction time (one business day to one month)
Cash: same as transaction time (1-20 sec)

Winner: BITCOIN