Yeah slower than visa and paypal, but it depends on how you look at it.  if i wanted to send my gold to someone it would take a hell of a lot longer than 24 hours and would cost way more than $0.50, its perspective...

is bitcoin competing with visa/paypal or is it competing with gold....?  i think the market has spoke.  things my change when LN comes out and bitcoin may compete with both, then it will really be amazing