To check out the beta in Steam client simply click here:
steam://storeurl/steamaccount/addfunds
If you would like to test in your browser, please visit:
http://store.steampowered.com/steamaccount/addfunds/
To help Valve test this new feature, now in beta, click here and follow the instructions available there. Remember, even in beta, purchases are real (no refunds). You should only fund with money you actually plan to use on Steam. And as always, please report any feedback here on the forums.
Here are some of our concerns:
1) Where are the money stored? Is Steam suddenly a bank?
2) What security measures did Valve take to actually prevent hijacking accounts in order to steal money (imagine sending Steam funds to your friends in the future)?
I’m sure you guys will find a lot more concerns although it may lead to good stuff like Steam Cards being distributed very soon just like on iTunes (like cards worth $5, $10, $15 etc.).
Update:
Recent changes to the Steam Subscriber Agreement say that the funds cannot be transferred to a different account (or refunded, for that matter).
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The main ‘nice’ thing about this system for me is that it would enable me to buy games at a ‘cheaper’ exchange rate.
Eg at the moment our exchange rate is about 1 U.S. dollar = ~ 7.18602462 South African Rands with economists expecting it to rise steadily towards the end of the year as money flows out of the country again yada yada. So come the December sale, I’ll be able to buy some stuff at this cheaper exchange rate. That is of course IF the exchange rate becomes worse, as expected – it is a risk you take. But I’d be more at ease with this, if the system has some additional security layer, above and beyond my steam password….