BitPay to launch Ethereum support in coming weeks

BitPay is expanding its capabilities to Ethereum, allowing merchants across the world to accept the network's currency, ether. The payment provider announced today that customers will be able to securely and compliantly accept the currency in the coming weeks.

The launch will also allow wallet users to store ether in their BitPay wallets, in addition to allowing BitPay Prepaid Visa Card holders to add to their debit cards. Stephen Pair, CEO of BitPay, said in a statement that integrating ether was the "next logical choice" for the company.

Ether joins BitPay's payment mechanism offerings of bitcoin and bitcoin cash. The company also supports stable coin settlement with Circle CENTRE USD Coin, Gemini Dollar and Paxos Standard token in addition to 12 currencies and direct bank deposit in some countries. 

Merchants like Microsoft, Newegg, Dish Networks, FanDuel and Avnet will be able to support the currency without any additional integration effort on their end, according to the company. They'll also be able to process cross-border transactions.

Ether support will go live very soon, according to the company. However, an official launch date has not been specified within the announcement.