When you hear about Bitcoin apps, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a storage system or digital “wallet.” Indeed, these are among the most useful and popular electronic tools related to the cryptocurrency. But throughout last year we saw the announcement and/or release of a number of additional tools meant to make Bitcoin more practical, more accessible, and even more fun. In this article, we will be looking at five such best bitcoin apps that stood above the rest for their inventiveness, ease of use, and potential impact. These are the ones we’ll be talking about and using throughout 2018.
Five Best Bitcoin Apps
1. Bitcoin Fighter
Another look at the best Bitcoin apps of 2017 suggested that not many ideas can beat the concept of playing a game that can earn you real Bitcoins, and this app is just such a game. Or rather, it’s something of an investment tool disguised as a game. In Bitcoin Fighter, two cartoon fighters are presented, each with its own Bitcoin address. Your job is simply to “invest” in the one you think will win by sending as much Bitcoin as you want to him or her. When the round is over, everyone who invested in the winning fighter will get back his or her investments, as well as a proportional share of the Bitcoin that was invested in the loser. It’s a bizarre concept but a fun way to win some extra cryptocurrency. And best of all, it’s reliable and fair given that only payments confirmed by the Bitcoin network are processed.
2. FlapPig
Think Flappy Bird plus the potential to earn Bitcoin and you pretty much get the idea. FlapPig is another game, designed by bitLanders, and is more of an arcade experience than an investment competition. You control Foo the flying golden pig, flapping around trying to collect Bitcoins and avoid obstacles for as long as possible. The slightly aggravating catch is that you need an account with bitLander to collect any actual currency from the coins you collect in the game, but for many, that’s a reasonable trade-off.
3. Fold
Fold is still in development, but its basic capabilities have been announced and it could be a true game-changer for Bitcoin in the world of retail. Recent overviews of Bitcoin and its utility in our day-to-day lives suggest that more and more brick and mortar businesses are accepting Bitcoin, largely thanks to various electronic tools that allow quick scans for Bitcoin transactions in person. Fold is seeking to capitalize on that idea by bringing such payments to some of the biggest store chains in the world. Starbucks is the primary partner, but Fold is also working with the likes of Target and Whole Foods. The app will allow its users to upload any amount of Bitcoin they choose in advance and then use it for quick, easy payments at participating stores.
4. Xapo
There are a lot of different electronic wallet options out there for Bitcoin users, and there are various pros and cons to most of them. But the Xapo app’s website boasts the best security in the industry. The app was described by the Wall Street Journal as one of a few young companies trying to become the Fort Knox of Bitcoin. The difference between Xapo and the others is that Xapo will fully insure all deposits its users make. That’s a fascinating feature at a relatively early stage in the competition between Bitcoin wallets, and one that makes Xapo worth paying attention to.
5. FitCoin
Fitcoin isn’t the first app to offer cash incentives for exercise, but it’s the first to do so with Bitcoin. Basically, the app syncs with your fitness tracker to determine how much time and effort you spend working out. It then supplies you with Bitcoin based on what you might have earned mining Bitcoin at your computer in the same amount of time. It’s a somewhat-strange idea but certainly an appealing one to anyone who’s interested in obtaining Bitcoin without going through the ordinary mining process. Mind you, you need to be extraordinarily active to make a meaningful amount of money. But if you exercise on a regular basis anyway, you may as well take advantage of FitCoin’s services.
Many additional Bitcoin apps have come out in the past year or so, and many more are sure to come this year. But the range of functions in these five best bitcoin apps should give you a good idea of the various tech tools being developed in relation to the cryptocurrency.
