Amazon to Launch Virtual Currency

Amazon.com plans to put tens of millions of dollars into the hands of its customers this spring. Instead of cash, the money will be in the form of Amazon Coins, a virtual currency recently announced by the online retailer. The new scrip will be made available to Amazon customers for use with the company's entertainment tablet, Kindle Fire. Shoppers can spend Amazon Coins in the Amazon Appstore on games and apps. At launch, only U.S. customers will be able to buy and spend Amazon Coins.