Kaslo entrepreneur Luke Crawford along with kaslotourism.com are launching the global e-currency Bitcoin.
“Bitcoin makes good sense for business, especially in a tourist town like Kaslo,” said Crawford, “If the person paying you is right next to you or on the other side of the world, the payment is confirmed within seconds. Nothing like this has ever existed before.”
According to Wikipedia, Bitcoin is a new, “payment system and digital currency introduced as open source software in 2009... is a cryptocurrency, so-called because it uses cryptography to control the creation and transfer of money.”
As a digitally-based currency it is stored in an electronic wallet as credits, which can be accessed through a smartphone or tablet with the use of a secret key, and converted into almost any currency at the choice of the merchant. Transactions are often faster than a credit or debit card purchase and provide the merchant with a confirmation message backed up with an email.
Randy Morse, of the Kaslo Institute said “Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic is accepting Bitcoins as a form of payment for people who are considering becoming space tourists aboard Virgin Galactic flights.”
This announcement by Branson in November 2013, marked a significant milestone and coming of age for this online currency which began on January 3, 2009.
The Landmark Bakery in Kaslo is the first business in the Kootenays to accept Bitcoins for all transactions.
“The bakery already accepts Visa, Mastercard and debit cards for the purchase of teas, lattes, cakes, or cinnamon buns, and adding a global e-currency such as Bitcoin will not be much different,” said Robert Abbey, owner of Landmark Bakery, and president of kaslotourism.com.
To add some excitement to the Bitcoin launch, Abbey says he will be one of the first businesses in Canada which is for sale with a Bitcoin price.
“The bakery is for sale and I will also consider accepting 390 Bitcoins for this transaction.”
To add Bitcoin acceptance to your business contact Crawford at info@instantbitcoins.ca or instantbitcoins.ca or call 250-353-8733.