[neilkumar]

But a compromised credit card doesn't mean you risk your whole bank account. First, at least in the US, there are limits to what you are liable if you are card is compromised -- report within 48 hours, the limit is $50, report within 60 days, the limit is $500. Second, credit cards have a credit limit -- so, worst case scenario, you'd be out to whatever your limit is (which is unlikely to happen as any weird use of your card would probably trigger it for a security review, which wouldn't allow any transactions until someone talks to you). Finally, credit cards (unlike debit cards), are not linked to your bank account.

[oleganza]

Compromised credit card adds significant hassle while Bitcoin transaction adds zero hassle. So CC is worse than Bitcoin for both parties: merchant can lose money and have to insure against it with paper work and higher prices, customer has to worry about reputation of a merchant and check his balance regularly, call the bank quickly etc.

Yes, if the merchant steals from the buyer, the raw BTC transaction is not reversible. But normally merchant has much more to lose than you if he is not nice (and merchants show their commitment by investing a lot in marketing and development) and in rare cases when you transact more money, you can use escrow and extra paperwork. But that's totally optional and is not needed when paying for a coffee, a book, or some inexpensive service.