New Hampshire, often hailed as the "Free State" due to its strong libertarian movement and pro-freedom activism, is also a hotspot for cryptocurrency adoption. Many local businesses accept digital currencies, and Bitcoin ATMs are common. This week, the organization Free Keene launched Cryptotip.org, a new website that allows users to create physical tip cards backed by Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Dash (DASH), making it easier for residents to tip with sound money.
From Bctip.org to Cryptotip.org
Previously, Keene residents used a service called Bctip.org to generate Bitcoin tips, but the platform stalled after the December 2017 fee spike on the Bitcoin network. Ian Freeman, host of the radio show Free Talk Live and a Free Keene activist, reached out to the creator of Bctip.org to request support for additional cryptocurrencies. The creator refused but made the code open-source. Freeman then partnered with developer Michael Hampton of Ringing Liberty to build a brand-new tipping site from scratch. The early beta version only supported Dash, but the full launch now defaults to Bitcoin Cash, with Dash also available.
How Cryptotip.org Works
Users visit Cryptotip.org, select a cryptocurrency (BCH or Dash), choose a fiat value (USD, GBP, EUR, RUB, JPY, etc.), fund the tips, and add a refund address. They then print business-card-sized slips, each with a unique URL and QR code. Recipients scan or visit the URL to receive step-by-step instructions on downloading a wallet and claiming their crypto. If the recipient never claims the tip, it automatically returns to the creator after the set expiration period. This zero-risk approach encourages experimenters to hand out tips without fear of loss.
Why Crypto Tips Matter
Freeman explains the rationale: “Restaurant servers don’t have time to listen to a pitch about crypto — they have tables to wait on. When you leave a Cryptotip in addition to a good cash tip, they’ll be more likely to look at it. Getting busy people’s attention is hard, and Cryptotip makes it so much easier.” By piggybacking on the universal appeal of money, the tool serves as a frictionless gateway for curious recipients to explore cryptocurrency.
Free Keene has already onboarded dozens of local businesses — from a dentist and an Indian restaurant to a hair salon and a vape shop — into the crypto economy. Cryptotip.org extends this effort by embedding crypto into everyday social interactions like tipping.
Community Response and Outlook
Currently in public beta, Cryptotip.org has drawn positive feedback from libertarian and crypto communities. The open-source code allows anyone to fork or improve the platform. As low-fee cryptocurrencies like BCH and Dash gain traction, tipping tools like Cryptotip could become a vital bridge between digital assets and real-world use cases, lowering the barrier for non-technical users.
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