[thisisit]

Huh, I don't understand. If it's so easy why don't they do it? Oh the "value of store" goalpost pivot. Right!

Let me add some reality checks here. Irrespective of the fees problem - I know Segwit, Lightning network etc will solve everything, the real reason they don't is because Bitcoin/cryptocurrency is difficult for people to understand and use.

Most of the discussions about bitcoin et. al forget at the end of the day your system should be able to cater to a layperson. Currently, looking at Bitcoin discussions reminds me of this scene from Silicon Valley TV series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml92QEqE-RQ

[boysabr3]

Bitcoin is an asset (or a currency). Not a user experience. I think you should distinguish between the UX of a Bitcoin wallet app (which is analogous to Alipay and WeChat Pay) and the "asset" Bitcoin (which is more analogous to CNY or a stock you hold).

Bitcoin can be made user friendly with a user friendly Bitcoin wallet app. Coinbase could streamline KYC by partnering with banks / regulators, request Uber rides in-app, or enable QR based merchant payments (basically make it's app exactly similar to Alipay/WeChat Pay).

None of that has anything to do with the success / failure of Bitcoin. Bitcoin is failing because it is not a good store of value for consumers at the moment. It's too volatile and too hard to acquire. It's more of an investment class asset than a stable store of value I can purchase and not worry about.

The Alipay vs. Bitcoin comparison doesn't make sense — you're comparing apples and oranges.