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The sign behind the bar of Room 77.
These days you won’t have any problems spending your bitcoins. You can book flights, buy apartments and eat and drink your way through most of the world’s major cities. But three years ago things were different. Then you had to fly to Berlin and make your way to a small bar in the city’s Kreuzberg district if you wanted to spend bitcoins.Room 77 in the German capital is celebrating three years of accepting the cryptocurrency.  The exact date is not really clear but the owner of the bar, Joerg Platzer, approximated that it was around May 2011 that he accepted the first bitcoin transaction for a beer.Unless challenged, he will continue to claim that it was the world’s first purchase with the digital currency in a shop, restaurant or bar.Then and nowThings have changed dramatically since then. Bitcoin has seen highs and lows, it has been embraced by many and discredited by others but it has continued its march towards global recognition.Back then, Platzer explained, he was happy if he had one or two bitcoin purchases per month; now he has up to 10 purchases per evening.Back then people would turn up with their laptops and manually type in the address codes to make transactions; now young hipsters show up with their smartphones and make transactions like it’s the easiest thing in the world.Back then Platzer would be ecstatic if four people showed up to a bitcoin meetup; now his bar fills up on the first Thursday of every month when the local enthusiasts meet.Platzer described himself as an old-school “hacker, lock picker and freak”. In his circles there was talk of a decentralized digital currency for years, and when he heard about bitcoin for the first time he knew he was on to something big. He said:“I felt 20 years younger. This was the sort of money I read about when I was young. I just said, ‘lets go for it’.”He put up a sign advertising that bitcoin was accepted in the bar, and waited for the first customer. And waited, and waited.“Everyone was laughing about it and people were asking ‘what is this funny bitcoin stuff [that] was on the wall’. The staff just shook their heads and said it was some strange thing the boss liked.” Room 77 in Berlin - now celebrating three years of accepting bitcoin.Room 77 in Berlin – now celebrating three years of accepting bitcoin.Accepting bitcoin in those days was not a business decision. Of course there were the advantages of low transaction fees and not having to handle cash but in the end, it was very much an ideological decision, Platzer said. He looked for a way to decrease the power of the banks, and given the small scale of his bar, he thought he’d found a way in bitcoin.“In my opinion our society has a huge problem and that is called banks and central banks – and we need to overcome those structures … We are now looking at a future where no one will have to use banks anymore and that means that we can let a bank fail.”Ideologues vs EntrepreneursBut over the last year a new type of bitcoin enthusiast has entered Platzer’s bitcoin world. A typical bitcoin user is now as likely to wear a smart suit and work in an office as he is to wear a hoodie and argue for the end of capitalism. The bitcoin entrepreneurs have arrived and Platzer isn’t all that happy about it.People became attracted to bitcoin because it offers a free or low-fee transaction and a lack of regulation, but now, he said, some are arguing for more regulation as a way to legitimize the currency in the eyes of financial institutions and governments. Said Platzer:“I look at these entrepreneurs and say, ‘You want something regulated?’ You have something regulated. It is called money – just use that.”Platzer is certain his side will win the fight over regulation. There is no way to regulate bitcoin, he contended, as it goes against the coding. But more importantly, if the regulation side succeeds, people could just move to the next altcoin. “The genie is out of the bottle,” he said, “there is no going back anymore.”As the history of bitcoin continues to be play out across the world Platzer sits back in his own bitcoin kingdom smiling. He said:“Bitcoin is still an experiment … That’s why I think it is funny that people demand stability. You can’t demand things from an experiment. Just go and pay with your MasterCard if you want stability.”Photos by Jona KallgrenbanksBerlinHistoryregulationRoom 77
Original author: Jona Kallgren

bitcoin
Blockchain.info has reached a five-year deal to manage the premium domain name ‘www.bitcoin.com’.The company says it is positioning itself to maintain and build its profile in the bitcoin community:“Our mission is to provide tools and services that build on bitcoin’s core strengths. To that end, Blockchain plans to utilize the bitcoin.com domain to help drive consumer adoption and education.”The significance of the domain should not be underestimated, as it is the flagship domain for the cryptocurrency. Blockchain apparently wants to transform it into a vital resource for the bitcoin community and reach out to mainstream internet users. It said:“We’re excited to create new learning experiences and introduce millions of new users to Bitcoin as a result of this exclusive deal.”Blockchain.info has the resources and know-how needed to pull it off. The company’s web-wallet software now supports more than 1.5 million wallets – an increase from the million wallet users it had just three months ago.http://t.co/pY6wnVOdFu reaches 1.5 million wallets! via @RedditBTC http://t.co/ihmT74qjZg #bitcoin— Blockchain.info (@blockchain) April 14, 2014
The company passed the 500,000 mark back in October 2013.Blockchain.info is the world’s most popular bitcoin website, which is no small feat. Additionally, the company is expanding beyond wallets to other bitcoin-related services, recently acquiring ZeroBlock LLC, the world’s most popular bitcoin mobile app.Interestingly, the domain’s homepage links to various Blockchain projects, and denotes the bitcoin ‘B’ with the unicode ’Ƀ’ symbol – an alternative to the double-dashed ‘B⃦’.bitcoinThis has been chosen by a website of industry members (including ZeroBlock and Lamassu) as a way to better legitimize bitcoin as a symbol in print and online.The group argue that having a symbol in the standardised form would better convey the currency to the masses across various forms of media.Bitcoin.comBlockchain.info
Original author: Nermin Hajdarbegovic

BitPremier yacht
A brand new 120’ tri-deck mega yacht, due to be completed next month, may be the most expensive thing you can buy with bitcoin.With a hefty asking price of 22,305.134 BTC (or $11m), this yacht is being advertised on BitPremier, an online bitcoin-only luxury marketplace.The yacht comes equipped with a fly bridge and bridge deck, sky lounge, master stateroom, two VIP staterooms, a VIP Head, two guest staterooms, two guest heads and a dining room – among other features.It build is still in its final stages, so if you were considering splashing out you’ll be able to customize the final details to accommodate your needs. BitPremier mega yachtThe mega yacht is currently being furnished with brand new equipment at the shipyard.If this is slightly out of your budget, you can always rent a yacht with your bitcoin from luxury yacht service The Advantaged Yacht Charter and Sales in Miami Beach.The company has 26 boats ranging from $1,200 to $18,000. They officially started accepting bitcoin in October 2013, but their first bitcoin booking came this February.The mega yacht’s asking price may sound like it is going to have a hard time selling, but BitPremier has successfully sold many other high-value items in the past.This includes a $500,000 villa in Bali which found a buyer back in March. The 3,000-square-foot villa at the delMango Villa Estate was the site’s most expensive item, until now.Other items currently listed on the site include Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show tickets priced at $19,600 (40.087 BTC), a sub orbital space travel trip for $100,000 (204.96 BTC), and a 3.01 carat natural diamond for $260,000 (526.316 BTC).BitPremier was founded in May 2013 by Alan Silbert, the brother of SecondMarket CEO Barry Silbert.Images courtesy of BitPremier bitpremierlifestyleluxuryyacht
Original author: Roop Gill

blockchain, awards
Blockchain and the Bitcoin Foundation introduced the inaugural Blockchain Awards today (16th April).The two organizations will co-host the event to be hold on 16th May at the Bitcoin 2014 Conference in Amsterdam.The awards will celebrate “the exceptional quality, leadership, and technical innovation we see every day”, Blockchain CEO Nicolas Cary said in a statement.He added:“With these awards we hope to take a moment and reflect on the amazing contributions from the Bitcoin community.”Nominations are open from today through 6th May in 10 categories. These include:Best ATM DesignBest Mobile AppBitcoin ChampionBitcoin Legal ExpertMost Creative VideoMost Impactful CharityMost Influential InvestorMost Informative PodcastMost Insightful JournalistVisionary Academic Paper.Each of the winners will receive 1 BTC and their awards will be permanently written into the Bitcoin block chain.The nominees of each category will be reduced to three top choices, which will be announced on 7th May, when voting on the Top 3 finalists begins.Nominations are open to anyone through the conference’s website.Image via Blockchain and Bitcoin FoundationBitcoin 2014Bitcoin FoundationBlockchain
Original author: Tanaya Macheel

CeX_Logo1
CeX, an online marketplace for buying and selling technology and entertainment products, is now paying bitcoin for used goods on the UK version of its site.UK-based users are now able to sell products on the website for bitcoin as an option in CeX’s shopping cart.The cart informs users that they will receive the BTC equivalent fair value at the time a good is sold:“Your actual bitcoin payout will be determined at the time of payment processing, after we have received and tested your goods.”Selling items for bitcoinThe decision for CeX to take bitcoin for used goods follows a recent trend in the bitcoin industry.A few companies now allow users to sell old products for bitcoin. It’s an easy onramp for bitcoin newcomers to get some digital currency for products that they no longer want.CeX’s trade-in model is similar to that of MintSpare, a startup that accepts electronics in exchange for bitcoin. Another company called Glyde also pays out its customers in bitcoin for used products.However, Glyde functions like a marketplace: a seller’s item must be matched with a buyer that wants the product. Also, MintSpare and Glyde are both US-based and focus on that particular market.About CeXFounded in London in 1992, CeX has stores in the US, UK, Spain, Ireland, India and Australia.According to the company’s website, it has 243 physical UK retail locations. The core focus for the company is for customers to buy and sell gaming, phone and computer products. CeX checkout screen. Source: CeX UKCeX checkout screen. Source: CeX UKSome reddit users made it clear that they intend to sell items via CeX to get bitcoin for the first time.CeXmarketplacesUK
Original author: Daniel Cawrey

dogecoin moon
Dogecoin creator Jackson Palmer is set to headline Dogecon SF in San Francisco, an upcoming gathering presented by Follow The Coin in partnership with Palmer and the Dogecoin Foundation.The 25th April event will celebrate the short but dramatic history of the altcoin. Beginning at 4 p.m., Dogecon SF will feature food, fun, panel discussions and more than a few chances to win some dogecoins. Entry is free, although donations are encouraged.Palmer told CoinDesk that the evening of all things shibe embodies everything positive about the dogecoin community:“Dogecoin is based, at its core, around a passionate community of users who are a fine example of how generosity and light-heartedness can prevail on the often mean-spirited internet. Dogecon is an extension of that community drive, and my hope is that it’ll bring together shibes for a night of crypto-education, discussion and a heap of fun.”An event for every shibeA number of speakers are set to appear at the convention, billed as the largest dogecoin gathering yet.Litecoin creator Charlie Lee will join Palmer for a “fireside chat.” Dogetipbot co-founder David Dvorak and Doge4Water creator Eric Nakagawa will lead a panel discussion focusing on the community’s charity efforts.Andreas Antonopoulos, the bitcoin evangelist and author of the forthcoming book Mastering Bitcoin, will lead a talk entitled “Currency As A Language: Understanding value in a world of thousands of currency publishers.”Following the panels, Dogecon SF will break out into full-on party mode, with games and events that offer free dogecoins to lucky winners. Said Palmer:“We’ll have pizza, beer, a DJ and even a best dressed content where I’ll award the finest dressed shibe with a whopping 100k DOGE.”San Francisco-based Adam’s Grub Truck will serve refreshments.Convention highlights dogecoin communityPalmer told CoinDesk that he hopes people who don’t know much about digital currencies attend Dogecon SF, and that one of the successes of dogecoin has been its attraction for those previously unfamiliar with the concept.“We’re attracting and bringing in an entirely new demographic of users who mostly haven’t dealt with cryptocurrency before. All cryptocurrencies need to start reaching a wider circle of users, if they ever expect to see mass adoption.”Dogecoin enthusiasts have grown steadily in number since the digital currency’s launch. This list includes Reddit CEO Yishan Wong.Earlier this month, a gathering of shibes was held at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles.Image via Dogecoin WikiAndreas AntonopoulosCharlie Leedogecoin
Original author: Stan Higgins

secondmarketbitcoin
New York-based SecondMarket has informed investors that its professional-level bitcoin exchange service is now available for institutional traders.The company had previously confirmed it would launch a US-regulation exchange by summer.SecondMarket, a registered broker-dealer that has experience offering unique asset classes and alternative investments, is targeting investors interested in trading a minimum of 25 BTC per trade.That level of bitcoin trading is in a market that has seen bitcoin exchanges struggle to fill orders, according to investors familiar with institution-level BTC trading.25 BTC minimumAccording to recent CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index values, 25 BTC is worth more than $12,000.SecondMarket, as a result, is targeting only investors who seek to move large amounts of bitcoin, a market that only a few companies are currently able to provide. One week bitcoin prices. Source: CoinDesk BPIPast week bitcoin prices. Source: CoinDesk BPIFor example, companies such as itBit, Vaurum and most recently CoinMKT have intentions of reaching the financial world with bitcoin investment platforms.SecondMarket made an announcement that it would get into the bitcoin exchange business earlier this year, but are now publicizing the fact to accredited investors through its website.According to information posted on the SecondMarket site, aspiring exchange customers must first complete a compliance application and speak with one of the exchange’s representatives before trading.Bitcoin Investment TrustSecondMarket also offers a product called the Bitcoin Investment Trust, which founder Barry Silbert says already holds 100,000 bitcoins. Silbert has long been bullish on the long-term prospects of bitcoin, and his connections to the financial world give SecondMarket a degree of credibility in the digital currency industry.Big milestone today for Bitcoin Investment Trust — now holds over 100,000 bitcoin http://t.co/nBzlaGupy4 cc @BitcoinTrust— Barry Silbert (@barrysilbert) April 10, 2014Silbert recently told CoinDesk that 15% of institutional investors were already bitcoin believers.Adam Draper, founder of Boost VC, which invests in bitcoin companies, shared his thoughts on the launch with CoinDesk:“I think that Barry Silbert is one of the lead pioneers and innovators in the Bitcoin space. He is really sticking his neck out for mass adoption of bitcoin and I love it.”With hedge funds such as Pantera Capital going all-bitcoin, and the support of Fortress Investments and others, interest from Wall Street seems to be on the rise.Bankers and investment professionals are also expected to mingle with bitcoin professionals at Money 2020 later on this year, an annual event expected to attract thousands in the finance industry.Image via SecondMarketBarry SilbertBitcoin Investment TrustSecondMarket
Original author: Daniel Cawrey

zazzz, weed
Marijuana vending machines have long been rumored to debut en masse in certain US states, but on 12th April the first machine that can be accessed directly by consumers was finally unveiled at an invite-only event in Colorado.Billed as the first marijuana vending machine in America, ZaZZZ units are perhaps more accurately the first ones that will not be placed behind sales counters. The machines offer a number of novel compliance features, including a driver’s license reader and a camera that captures video of users.ZaZZZ machines also have another notable feature: They accept only a limited number of payment options including the ZaZZZ Card, cash, and perhaps most notably, bitcoin.Stephen Shearin, COO of American Green – the makers of ZaZZZ – spoke to CoinDesk about why bitcoin is the right fit for his brand. He said:“It’s quick, it’s efficient, it’s trackable.”How the machines workZaZZZ indicates that its machines will serve as an ancillary service for dispensaries, appealing to those who want to make purchases quickly or who otherwise might be shy about buying marijuana.Shearin explained that customers paying with bitcoins will find a transaction system nearly identical to the ones they would use at a merchant that accepts bitcoin:“It’s exactly like [using your] bitcoin wallet to pay anywhere else.”When the customers have selected their product and move to the payment stage, they can then opt to pay in bitcoins. The vending machine produces a QR code which the customer can then scan with their smartphone.Once the machine accepts the bitcoins, the customer takes their product and the transaction is completed.Two growing markets meetMedical marijuana has been legal in Colorado since Amendment 20 passed in 2000. The policy was followed in 2012 by Amendment 64, which allows for the personal use of marijuana by all adults at least 21 years old in the state.However, while the policy is not new, the retail infrastructure to support the change has been slow to roll out. For instance, the first marijuana stores opened on 1st January of this year. The relationship between bitcoin and marijuana in Colorado began with the use of the digital currency by dispensaries who, at the time, were unable to find financial partners.Some observers see the legal obstacles facing marijuana as similar to those experienced by bitcoin.According to Shearin, the use of bitcoins allows businesses in the cannabis industry a way to improve margins that are already tight after taxes and the cost of regulatory compliance. He explained:“Providing a payment facility that has a super-low cost to it, like bitcoin, is an effective way to provide these guys – dispensaries and dispensary owners – with a means of doing their business that is more efficient than other facilities that charge a higher fee.”Shearin went on to say that the grassroots nature of the digital currency movement, as well as its value-oriented benefits for customers like low transaction fees, made implementing bitcoin a clear choice.Image via ZazzmarijuanaUSAzazzz
Original author: Stan Higgins
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