jfGi: New African blockchain startup makes remembering your Bitcoin address easier

While hard-core Bitcoin enthusiasts might keep their public address etched on their cerebellum, the rest of us might struggle to remember one – or several – Bitcoin addresses. Thankfully, a new African startup – jfGi, or just for Getting it – is here to help.

Led by Rafiq Phillips, jfGi helps to address a common stumbling block for new Bitcoin users by making wallet payments even easier. jfGi serves to link one’s twitter handle to their public Bitcoin address, where users need only remember a simple link rather than a mix of 35 alphanumeric characters.

Phillips explains that “jfGi simplifies and demystifies receiving bitcoin payments for anyone, anywhere on any mobile device in the world with just 1 click. It really is a case of clicking on an easy to remember jfGi.cc link and you’ll be transacting on the bitcoin blockchain.”

The idea behind jfGi first emerged after Phillips found it time-consuming to copy and paste a wallet address or generate a QR code for invoicing purposes while offering his consulting services.

Phillips elaborated that, after becoming frustrated with the process, he endeavored to use used his personal website to develop what has become the alpha version of jfGi.

Working development partner Tim Akinbo – the co-founder of Nigerian Bitcoin marketplace, Tanjalo.com – the duo have now developed the service using only Twitter, crowdsourcing and open source business design principles.

The first users of the service – termed ‘the jfGi 100’ – offered requests for new features and shared the idea behind the platform.

Users looking to make use of jfGi need only follow several steps. Phillips explained that users simply need to:

1. “Follow @jfGi on Twitter & wait for it to follow you back.
2. Send a Direct Message (DM) with any of your public BTC addresses that you can receive bitcoin at.
3. Send 0.001111 (about USD 8 at time of publication) by clicking jfGi.cc/jfgi on mobile or 3H8iYZfFEPyrC7AtUz2Dg1UHvkg47TR2HA
4. Wait for @jfgi to DM your jfgi.cc/twitter-handle link.”

Speaking on the success of the service and his future plans, Phillips quipped that “I’m blown away by the various use-cases from schools using jfGi for Bitcoin fundraising to twitter users collecting Bitcoin tips from their followers. The feedback we’ve received and numbers are testament that consumers were ready for this… jfGi is the glue between the foundation of internet communication (the URL) and a user’s bitcoin wallet.”

Signing up to jfGi

CoinInsider readers interested in testing jfGi can claim a limited number of free accounts by following several steps:

1. Following @jfgi on twitter https://twitter.com/jfgi & wait for @jfgi to followback.
2. Sending a direct message(DM) to @jfgi with @coininsidercom
3. Send any public BTC address you can receive funds at (paper, exchange hardware or mobile wallet).

jfGi is intended to remain free to charities and non-profits, while the service will remain available to individuals and companies for0.001111 BTC per year.