Second Lifers Now Get The Cash Alternative
London 16th October 2007: Residents of Second Life can now become cash buyers for land and property in their virtual world.
By stepping up to the Ukash terminals located in the Bulido Money Service outlets in the phenomenally successful virtual world, the millions of Second Lifer residents can now use Ukash cash vouchers to get Linden Dollars, the official Second life currency.
Cash consumers, and those without credit cards or with concerns about providing their financial details online, get Ukash vouchers from thousands of convenient locations across Europe.
"Ukash transactions are growing across Europe because of the convenience and security it provides to those who wish to spend cash online, so it's natural to offer the same benefits to those who wish to transact within Second Life," says Mark Chirnside, Chief Executive Officer at Ukash.
"Over $6 million were traded at LindeX, Second Life's currency exchange during the second quarter of 2007, and nearly 100m (1) residents of the virtual world have premium membership that allows them to buy and sell land within Second Life so there's a new and booming economy that we're pleased to be opening up to the cash consumer," added Mark Chirnside.
The transaction is completed in real time, putting Linden Dollars into the resident's account immediately. Residents can also make return visits to the Bulido website to get Linden Dollars without needing to be logged into Second Life, adding even more convenience to the Ukash and Second Life experience.
The Bulido Money Service is designed and operated by Crafty Studios Games Development GmbH of Pöttsching, Austria.
"We know that there are millions of Second Life residents unable to participate fully in the virtual economy as they can't get Linden Dollars so working with Bulido to provide a convenient and secure cash payment method will open up new opportunities to these currently excluded consumers," concludes Mark Chirnside.
Consumers can get Ukash from payment terminals found in newsagents, grocery stores, post offices and petrol forecourts across the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany and The Netherlands. Ukash is also available online and via banks in these countries and a further 15 across Europe. There are no fees charged to get Ukash, meaning consumers can use the full amount of their Ukash when spending online.
(1) Second Life Economic Statistics October 2007
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For further information about Ukash please contact:
Shelley Sofier/Sarah Morgan
Attenborough Saffron
Tel: 020 7067 1597
shelley@attenborough.net sarahm@attenborough.net
About Ukash
Ukash is a globally-recognised e-commerce cash payment method to enable online purchases using cash, providing freedom from credit and debit card fraud, repudiations and charge-backs, and protecting personal identity.
Ukash is regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) and operates as one of the only a small number of Electronic Money Institutions, a status that allows a single maximum online cash payment transaction of up to £500/EUR750.
Uniquely numbered Ukash vouchers are widely available through payment terminals in retail outlets and online.
Ukash is now issued in 20 countries.
www.ukash.com
Ukash, 5-7 Tanner Street, London,
SE1 3LE, United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 20 7089 4067 Ukash.com