Introducing Crypto Payments: Enhanced Privacy for Your Email Service

Foreword

At Forward Email, we look for ways to improve your privacy and security and to make our service more accessible. We now accept cryptocurrency payments through Stripe's crypto payment integration.

Why Crypto Payments Matter

Privacy has always been central to our service. In addition to our other payment methods, cryptocurrency payments provide an additional layer of privacy. By paying with crypto, you can:

  • Maintain greater anonymity when purchasing our email services
  • Reduce the personal information tied to your email account
  • Keep your financial and email identities separate
  • Support the growing decentralized finance ecosystem

How It Works

We've integrated Stripe's crypto payment system. To pay for Forward Email services using cryptocurrency:

  1. Select Crypto as Your Payment Method: When checking out, you'll see "Crypto" as a payment option alongside traditional methods like credit cards.

  2. Choose Your Cryptocurrency: Currently, we accept USDC (USD Coin) on multiple blockchains including Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon. USDC is a stable cryptocurrency that maintains a 1:1 value with the US dollar.

  3. Connect Your Wallet: You'll be redirected to a secure page where you can connect your preferred crypto wallet. We support multiple wallet options including:

  4. Complete Your Payment: Confirm the transaction in your wallet. We process the payment and activate your Forward Email service immediately.

Privacy Benefits

Paying for your Forward Email subscription with cryptocurrency improves your privacy in several ways:

  • Reduced Personal Information: Unlike credit card payments, crypto transactions don't require your name, billing address, or other personal details. Learn more about transaction privacy.
  • Separation from Traditional Banking: Your payment can't be linked to your bank account or credit history. Read about financial privacy.
  • Blockchain Privacy: While blockchain transactions are public, they're pseudonymous and not directly tied to your real-world identity. See blockchain privacy techniques.
  • Consistent with Our Values: As a privacy-focused email service, we believe in giving you control over your personal information at every step. Check out our privacy policy.

Technical Details

For those interested in the technical aspects:

  • We use Stripe's crypto payment infrastructure, which handles all the complexity of blockchain transactions.
  • Payments are made in USDC on multiple blockchains including Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon.
  • While you pay in cryptocurrency, we receive the equivalent value in USD, allowing us to maintain stable pricing.

Setting Up Your Crypto Wallet

New to cryptocurrency? Here's how to set up the wallets we support:

MetaMask

MetaMask is one of the most popular Ethereum wallets.

  1. Visit the MetaMask download page
  2. Install the browser extension or mobile app
  3. Follow the setup instructions to create a new wallet
  4. Important: Securely store your recovery phrase
  5. Add ETH or USDC to your wallet through an exchange or direct purchase
  6. Detailed MetaMask Setup Guide

Phantom

Phantom is a leading Solana wallet.

  1. Visit the Phantom website
  2. Download the appropriate version for your device
  3. Create a new wallet following the on-screen instructions
  4. Securely back up your recovery phrase
  5. Add SOL or USDC to your wallet
  6. Phantom Wallet Guide

Coinbase Wallet

Coinbase Wallet supports multiple blockchains.

  1. Download Coinbase Wallet
  2. Create a new wallet (separate from Coinbase exchange account)
  3. Secure your recovery phrase
  4. Transfer or purchase crypto directly in the app
  5. Coinbase Wallet Guide

WalletConnect

WalletConnect is a protocol that connects wallets to websites.

  1. First, download a WalletConnect-compatible wallet (many options available)
  2. During checkout, select WalletConnect
  3. Scan the QR code with your wallet app
  4. Approve the connection
  5. WalletConnect Compatible Wallets

Getting Started

To pay with crypto, select the "Crypto" option during checkout the next time you renew your subscription or upgrade your plan.

For more information about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, check out these resources:

Looking Forward

Cryptocurrency payments add to our work on privacy, security, and user choice. We believe your email service should respect your privacy at every level, from the messages you send to how you pay for the service.

As always, we welcome your feedback on this new payment option. If you have questions about using cryptocurrency with Forward Email, please reach out to our support team.

References:

  1. Stripe Crypto Documentation
  2. USDC Stablecoin
  3. Ethereum Blockchain
  4. Solana Blockchain
  5. Polygon Network
  6. Electronic Frontier Foundation - Privacy
  7. Forward Email Privacy Policy