diff --git a/config.js b/config.js
index 5c658ea68..d71dd7624 100644
--- a/config.js
+++ b/config.js
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ var defaultConfig = {
   // DEFAULT unit: Bit
   unitName: 'bits',
   unitToSatoshi: 100,
+  alternativeName: 'US Dollar',
+  alternativeIsoCode: 'USD',
 
   // wallet limits
   limits: {
@@ -54,6 +56,11 @@ var defaultConfig = {
     storageSalt: 'mjuBtGybi/4=',
   },
 
+  rate: {
+    url: 'https://bitpay.com/api/rates',
+    updateFrequencySeconds: 60 * 60
+  },
+
   disableVideo: true,
   verbose: 1,
 };
diff --git a/js/controllers/send.js b/js/controllers/send.js
index 87208e276..3dc673183 100644
--- a/js/controllers/send.js
+++ b/js/controllers/send.js
@@ -2,14 +2,67 @@
 var bitcore = require('bitcore');
 
 angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('SendController',
-  function($scope, $rootScope, $window, $timeout, $anchorScroll, $modal, isMobile, notification, controllerUtils) {
+  function($scope, $rootScope, $window, $timeout, $anchorScroll, $modal, isMobile, notification, controllerUtils, rateService) {
     $scope.title = 'Send';
     $scope.loading = false;
     var satToUnit = 1 / config.unitToSatoshi;
     $scope.defaultFee = bitcore.TransactionBuilder.FEE_PER_1000B_SAT * satToUnit;
     $scope.unitToBtc = config.unitToSatoshi / bitcore.util.COIN;
+    $scope.unitToSatoshi = config.unitToSatoshi;
     $scope.minAmount = config.limits.minAmountSatoshi * satToUnit;
 
+    $scope.alternativeName = config.alternativeName;
+    $scope.alternativeIsoCode = config.alternativeIsoCode;
+
+    $scope.isRateAvailable = false;
+    $scope.rateService = rateService;
+
+    rateService.whenAvailable(function() {
+      $scope.isRateAvailable = true;
+      $scope.$digest();
+    });
+
+    /**
+     * Setting the two related amounts as properties prevents an infinite
+     * recursion for watches while preserving the original angular updates
+     */
+    Object.defineProperty($scope,
+      "alternative", {
+      get: function () {
+        return this._alternative;
+      },
+      set: function (newValue) {
+        this._alternative = newValue;
+        if (typeof(newValue) === 'number' && $scope.isRateAvailable) {
+          this._amount = Number.parseFloat(
+            (rateService.fromFiat(newValue, config.alternativeIsoCode) * satToUnit
+          ).toFixed(config.unitDecimals), 10);
+        } else {
+          this._amount = 0;
+        }
+      },
+      enumerable: true,
+      configurable: true
+    });
+    Object.defineProperty($scope,
+      "amount", {
+      get: function () {
+        return this._amount;
+      },
+      set: function (newValue) {
+        this._amount = newValue;
+        if (typeof(newValue) === 'number' && $scope.isRateAvailable) {
+          this._alternative = Number.parseFloat(
+            (rateService.toFiat(newValue * config.unitToSatoshi, config.alternativeIsoCode)
+          ).toFixed(2), 10);
+        } else {
+          this._alternative = 0;
+        }
+      },
+      enumerable: true,
+      configurable: true
+    });
+
     $scope.loadTxs = function() {
       var opts = {
         pending: true,
diff --git a/js/controllers/settings.js b/js/controllers/settings.js
index 49f716519..89b9206ef 100644
--- a/js/controllers/settings.js
+++ b/js/controllers/settings.js
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 'use strict';
 
-angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('SettingsController', function($scope, $rootScope, $window, $location, controllerUtils) {
+angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('SettingsController', function($scope, $rootScope, $window, $location, controllerUtils, rateService) {
 
   controllerUtils.redirIfLogged();
   $scope.title = 'Settings';
@@ -14,21 +14,41 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('SettingsController', function
   $scope.unitOpts = [{
     name: 'Satoshis (100,000,000 satoshis = 1BTC)',
     shortName: 'SAT',
-    value: 1
+    value: 1,
+    decimals: 0
   }, {
     name: 'bits (1,000,000 bits = 1BTC)',
     shortName: 'bits',
-    value: 100
+    value: 100,
+    decimals: 2
   }, {
     name: 'mBTC (1,000 mBTC = 1BTC)',
     shortName: 'mBTC',
-    value: 100000
+    value: 100000,
+    decimals: 5
   }, {
     name: 'BTC',
     shortName: 'BTC',
-    value: 100000000
+    value: 100000000,
+    decimals: 8
   }];
 
+  $scope.selectedAlternative = {
+    name: config.alternativeName,
+    isoCode: config.alternativeIsoCode
+  };
+  $scope.alternativeOpts = rateService.isAvailable ?
+    rateService.listAlternatives() : [$scope.selectedAlternative];
+
+  rateService.whenAvailable(function() {
+    $scope.alternativeOpts = rateService.listAlternatives();
+    for (var ii in $scope.alternativeOpts) {
+      if (config.alternativeIsoCode === $scope.alternativeOpts[ii].isoCode) {
+        $scope.selectedAlternative = $scope.alternativeOpts[ii];
+      }
+    }
+  });
+
   for (var ii in $scope.unitOpts) {
     if (config.unitName === $scope.unitOpts[ii].shortName) {
       $scope.selectedUnit = $scope.unitOpts[ii];
@@ -68,7 +88,11 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('SettingsController', function
       disableVideo: $scope.disableVideo,
       unitName: $scope.selectedUnit.shortName,
       unitToSatoshi: $scope.selectedUnit.value,
-      version: copay.version,
+      unitDecimals: $scope.selectedUnit.decimals,
+      alternativeName: $scope.selectedAlternative.name,
+      alternativeIsoCode: $scope.selectedAlternative.isoCode,
+
+      version: copay.version
     }));
 
     // Go home reloading the application
diff --git a/js/services/controllerUtils.js b/js/services/controllerUtils.js
index 143536504..03b1eaff5 100644
--- a/js/services/controllerUtils.js
+++ b/js/services/controllerUtils.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 var bitcore = require('bitcore');
 
 angular.module('copayApp.services')
-  .factory('controllerUtils', function($rootScope, $sce, $location, notification, $timeout, video, uriHandler) {
+  .factory('controllerUtils', function($rootScope, $sce, $location, notification, $timeout, video, uriHandler, rateService) {
     var root = {};
     root.getVideoMutedStatus = function(copayer) {
       if (!$rootScope.videoInfo) return;
@@ -217,7 +217,15 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services')
         $rootScope.balanceByAddr = balanceByAddr;
         root.updateAddressList();
         $rootScope.updatingBalance = false;
-        return cb ? cb() : null;
+
+        rateService.whenAvailable(function() {
+          $rootScope.totalBalanceAlternative = rateService.toFiat(balanceSat, config.alternativeIsoCode);
+          $rootScope.alternativeIsoCode = config.alternativeIsoCode;
+          $rootScope.lockedBalanceAlternative = rateService.toFiat(balanceSat - safeBalanceSat, config.alternativeIsoCode);
+
+
+          return cb ? cb() : null;
+        });
       });
     };
 
diff --git a/js/services/rate.js b/js/services/rate.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0c28ae046
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/services/rate.js
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+'use strict';
+
+var RateService = function(request) {
+  this.isAvailable = false;
+  this.UNAVAILABLE_ERROR = 'Service is not available - check for service.isAvailable or use service.whenAvailable';
+  this.SAT_TO_BTC = 1 / 1e8;
+  var MINS_IN_HOUR = 60;
+  var MILLIS_IN_SECOND = 1000;
+  var rateServiceConfig = config.rate;
+  var updateFrequencySeconds = rateServiceConfig.updateFrequencySeconds || 60 * MINS_IN_HOUR;
+  var rateServiceUrl = rateServiceConfig.url || 'https://bitpay.com/api/rates';
+  this.queued = [];
+  this.alternatives = [];
+  var that = this;
+  var backoffSeconds = 5;
+  var retrieve = function() {
+    request.get({
+      url: rateServiceUrl,
+      json: true
+    }, function(err, response, listOfCurrencies) {
+      if (err) {
+        backoffSeconds *= 1.5;
+        setTimeout(retrieve, backoffSeconds * MILLIS_IN_SECOND);
+        return;
+      }
+      var rates = {};
+      listOfCurrencies.forEach(function(element) {
+        rates[element.code] = element.rate;
+        that.alternatives.push({
+          name: element.name,
+          isoCode: element.code,
+          rate: element.rate
+        });
+      });
+      that.isAvailable = true;
+      that.rates = rates;
+      that.queued.forEach(function(callback) {
+        setTimeout(callback, 1);
+      });
+      setTimeout(retrieve, updateFrequencySeconds * MILLIS_IN_SECOND);
+    });
+  };
+  retrieve();
+};
+
+RateService.prototype.whenAvailable = function(callback) {
+  if (this.isAvailable) {
+    setTimeout(callback, 1);
+  } else {
+    this.queued.push(callback);
+  }
+};
+
+RateService.prototype.toFiat = function(satoshis, code) {
+  if (!this.isAvailable) {
+    throw new Error(this.UNAVAILABLE_ERROR);
+  }
+  return satoshis * this.SAT_TO_BTC * this.rates[code];
+};
+
+RateService.prototype.fromFiat = function(amount, code) {
+  if (!this.isAvailable) {
+    throw new Error(this.UNAVAILABLE_ERROR);
+  }
+  return amount / this.rates[code] / this.SAT_TO_BTC;
+};
+
+RateService.prototype.listAlternatives = function() {
+  if (!this.isAvailable) {
+    throw new Error(this.UNAVAILABLE_ERROR);
+  }
+
+  var alts = [];
+  this.alternatives.forEach(function(element) {
+    alts.push({
+      name: element.name,
+      isoCode: element.isoCode
+    });
+  });
+  return alts;
+};
+
+angular.module('copayApp.services').service('rateService', RateService);
diff --git a/js/services/request.js b/js/services/request.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5a92093c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/services/request.js
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+'use strict';
+
+angular.module('copayApp.services').factory('request', function() {
+  return require('request');
+});
+    
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 383f137d1..258a25603 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -72,7 +72,9 @@
     "travis-cov": "0.2.5",
     "uglifyify": "1.2.3",
     "crypto-js": "3.1.2",
-    "shelljs": "0.3.0"
+    "shelljs":"0.3.0",
+    "browser-request": "0.3.2",
+    "request": "2.40.0"
   },
   "main": "app.js",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/bitpay/copay",
diff --git a/test/run.sh b/test/run.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
diff --git a/test/unit/controllers/controllersSpec.js b/test/unit/controllers/controllersSpec.js
index 4b67894a7..b99da8e3c 100644
--- a/test/unit/controllers/controllersSpec.js
+++ b/test/unit/controllers/controllersSpec.js
@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@ describe("Unit: Controllers", function() {
     totalCopayers: 5,
     spendUnconfirmed: 1,
     reconnectDelay: 100,
-    networkName: 'testnet'
+    networkName: 'testnet',
+    alternativeName: 'lol currency',
+    alternativeIsoCode: 'LOL'
   };
 
   it('Copay config should be binded', function() {
@@ -124,11 +126,21 @@ describe("Unit: Controllers", function() {
   });
 
   describe('Send Controller', function() {
-    var scope, form, sendForm;
+    var scope, form, sendForm, sendCtrl;
     beforeEach(angular.mock.module('copayApp'));
-    beforeEach(angular.mock.inject(function($compile, $rootScope, $controller) {
+    beforeEach(module(function($provide) {
+      $provide.value('request', {
+        'get': function(_, cb) {
+          cb(null, null, [{name: 'lol currency', code: 'LOL', rate: 2}]);
+        }
+      });
+    }));
+    beforeEach(angular.mock.inject(function($compile, $rootScope, $controller, rateService) {
       scope = $rootScope.$new();
+      scope.rateService = rateService;
       $rootScope.wallet = new FakeWallet(walletConfig);
+      config.alternativeName = 'lol currency';
+      config.alternativeIsoCode = 'LOL';
       var element = angular.element(
         '<form name="form">' +
         '<input type="text" id="newaddress" name="newaddress" ng-disabled="loading" placeholder="Address" ng-model="newaddress" valid-address required>' +
@@ -147,11 +159,12 @@ describe("Unit: Controllers", function() {
         '<form name="form2">' +
         '<input type="text" id="address" name="address" ng-model="address" valid-address required>' +
         '<input type="number" id="amount" name="amount" ng-model="amount" min="1" max="10000000000" required>' +
+        '<input type="number" id="alternative" name="alternative" ng-model="alternative">' +
         '<textarea id="comment" name="comment" ng-model="commentText" ng-maxlength="100"></textarea>' +
         '</form>'
       );
       $compile(element2)(scope);
-      $controller('SendController', {
+      sendCtrl = $controller('SendController', {
         $scope: scope,
         $modal: {},
       });
@@ -241,8 +254,22 @@ describe("Unit: Controllers", function() {
       config.unitToSatoshi = old;
     });
 
-
-
+    it('should convert bits amount to fiat', function(done) {
+      scope.rateService.whenAvailable(function() {
+        sendForm.amount.$setViewValue(1e6);
+        scope.$digest();
+        expect(scope.alternative).to.equal(2);
+        done();
+      });
+    });
+    it('should convert fiat to bits amount', function(done) {
+      scope.rateService.whenAvailable(function() {
+        sendForm.alternative.$setViewValue(2);
+        scope.$digest();
+        expect(scope.amount).to.equal(1e6);
+        done();
+      });
+    });
 
     it('should create and send a transaction proposal', function() {
       sendForm.address.$setViewValue('mkfTyEk7tfgV611Z4ESwDDSZwhsZdbMpVy');
diff --git a/test/unit/services/servicesSpec.js b/test/unit/services/servicesSpec.js
index df7eed5bf..144e9488b 100644
--- a/test/unit/services/servicesSpec.js
+++ b/test/unit/services/servicesSpec.js
@@ -79,8 +79,6 @@ describe("Unit: controllerUtils", function() {
       expect($rootScope.addrInfos[0].address).to.be.equal(Waddr);;
     }));
   });
-
-
 });
 
 describe("Unit: Notification Service", function() {
@@ -135,3 +133,36 @@ describe("Unit: uriHandler service", function() {
     }).should.not.throw();
   }));
 });
+
+describe('Unit: Rate Service', function() {
+  beforeEach(angular.mock.module('copayApp.services'));
+  it('should be injected correctly', inject(function(rateService) {
+    should.exist(rateService);
+  }));
+  it('should be possible to ask if it is available',
+    inject(function(rateService) {
+      should.exist(rateService.isAvailable);
+    })
+  );
+  beforeEach(module(function($provide) {
+    $provide.value('request', {
+      'get': function(_, cb) {
+        cb(null, null, [{name: 'lol currency', code: 'LOL', rate: 2}]);
+      }
+    });
+  }));
+  it('should be possible to ask for conversion from fiat',
+    inject(function(rateService) {
+      rateService.whenAvailable(function() {
+        (1).should.equal(rateService.fromFiat(2, 'LOL'));
+      });
+    })
+  );
+  it('should be possible to ask for conversion to fiat',
+    inject(function(rateService) {
+      rateService.whenAvailable(function() {
+        (2).should.equal(rateService.toFiat(1e8, 'LOL'));
+      });
+    })
+  );
+});
diff --git a/views/includes/sidebar.html b/views/includes/sidebar.html
index a22bb2475..c0b942533 100644
--- a/views/includes/sidebar.html
+++ b/views/includes/sidebar.html
@@ -24,10 +24,9 @@
         class="has-tip"
         data-options="disable_for_touch:true"
         tooltip-popup-delay='500'
-        tooltip="{{totalBalanceBTC |noFractionNumber:8}} BTC"
+        tooltip="{{totalBalanceAlternative |noFractionNumber:2}} {{alternativeIsoCode}}"
         tooltip-trigger="mouseenter"
-        tooltip-placement="bottom">{{totalBalance || 0
-        |noFractionNumber}} {{$root.unitName}} 
+        tooltip-placement="bottom">{{totalBalance || 0 |noFractionNumber}} {{$root.unitName}}
       </span>
       <br>
       Locked &nbsp;
@@ -38,7 +37,7 @@
         class="has-tip"
         data-options="disable_for_touch:true"
         tooltip-popup-delay='500'
-        tooltip="{{lockedBalanceBTC |noFractionNumber:8}} BTC"
+        tooltip="{{lockedBalanceAlternative |noFractionNumber:2}} {{alternativeIsoCode}}"
         tooltip-trigger="mouseenter"
         tooltip-placement="bottom">{{lockedBalance || 0|noFractionNumber}} {{$root.unitName}}
       </span> &nbsp;<i class="fi-info medium" tooltip="Balance locked in pending transaction proposals" tooltip-placement="bottom"></i>
diff --git a/views/send.html b/views/send.html
index a2d82be0d..a99d4b95a 100644
--- a/views/send.html
+++ b/views/send.html
@@ -83,6 +83,22 @@
               </div>
             </div>
           </div>
+          <div class="large-6 medium-6 columns">
+            <div class="row collapse">
+              <label for="alternative">Amount in {{ alternativeName }} </label>
+              <div class="small-9 columns">
+                <input type="number" id="alternative_amount"
+                ng-disabled="loading || !isRateAvailable "
+                name="alternative" placeholder="Amount" ng-model="alternative"
+                enough-amount required
+                autocomplete="off"
+                >
+              </div>
+              <div class="small-3 columns">
+                <span class="postfix">{{alternativeIsoCode}}</span>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
         </div>
 
         <div class="row" ng-show="wallet.isShared()">
@@ -110,7 +126,7 @@
       </form>
     </div>
 
-    <div class="large-6 columns show-for-large-up">
+    <div class="large-6 columns show-for-large-up" ng-show="!!$root.merchant">
       <div class="send-note">
         <h6>Send to</h6>
         <p class="text-gray" ng-class="{'hidden': sendForm.address.$invalid || !address}">
@@ -119,8 +135,11 @@
         <h6>Total amount for this transaction:</h6>
         <p class="text-gray" ng-class="{'hidden': sendForm.amount.$invalid || !amount > 0}">
         <b>{{amount + defaultFee |noFractionNumber}}</b> {{$root.unitName}}
+        <small ng-if="isRateAvailable">
+          {{ rateService.toFiat((amount + defaultFee) * unitToSatoshi, alternativeIsoCode) | noFractionNumber: 2 }} {{ alternativeIsoCode }}
+        <br>
+        </small>
         <small>
-          {{ ((amount + defaultFee) * unitToBtc)|noFractionNumber:8}} BTC <br/>
           Including fee of {{defaultFee|noFractionNumber}} {{$root.unitName}}
         </small>
         </p>
diff --git a/views/settings.html b/views/settings.html
index 2b231322b..548c2cbb6 100644
--- a/views/settings.html
+++ b/views/settings.html
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@
             <select class="form-control" ng-model="selectedUnit" ng-options="o.name for o in unitOpts" required>
             </select>
           </fieldset>
+          <fieldset>
+            <legend>Alternative Currency</legend>
+            <select class="form-control" ng-model="selectedAlternative" ng-options="alternative.name for alternative in alternativeOpts" required>
+            </select>
+          </fieldset>
           <fieldset>
             <legend>Videoconferencing</legend>
             <input id="disableVideo-opt" type="checkbox" ng-model="disableVideo" class="form-control">