Valve, the creators of PC gaming platform Steam, is preparing to add the ability to use Bitcoins to its service, numerous reports are indicating.
Apparently it will be done through an external payment provider, who converts the Bitcoin into local currency at Valve's end, this according to a post on the private Valve developer forums.
"We are excited to announce that Steam is going to start accepting payments via bitcoin," the post starts off saying. "Bitcoin is becoming an increasingly popular online payment method in some countries, and we're enabling a system that insulates partners from risk and volatility while still providing value to the end customer."
Developers will not need to do anything in order for people to buy their games using Bitcoin, as everything will be handled through the aforementioned external payment provider. Payments in Bitcoin will vary depending on the region, meaning devs will still be getting the same amount of money no matter what method people use to buy the games.
The post goes on to say that: "At no time does Valve receive or hold bitcoin," which was probably pointed out due to the dodgy dealings at underground internet markets that are sometimes made with the currency.