cryptocurrency?
Interesting point.
Maybe Kagi could offer a more privacy friendly "fill a wallet with crypto and we'll deduct a certain amount per search" option that doesnt require user billing data.
Im not a current user but would be more likely to test it if available.
Surely you can. You can use blind signatures, it's like issuing anonymous tokens in the style of David Chaum digital cash. Or you can just use existing cryptocurrency.
Supposedly they are not doing it because of advantages of associating your payment method and searches.
You have to pick one. And you can’t really fault Kagi for providing the one when the other is already “adequately” covered by Google.