Your local congressman will be getting a dose of bitcoin this month.
A group of bitcoin purveyors will be holding a bitcoin “demo day” in Washington, D.C. — in part for legislators — later this month, Bank Innovation has learned. The event is designed to show off some of the virtual currency’s prized startups.
The event is being organized by local bitcoin enthusiasts, and comes as a group of bitcoin companies has begun focusing on lobbying Capitol Hill for more regulatory relief. The exact location and even date for the event has yet to be hashed out.
Bank Innovation reported recently that buzzy bitcoin startup Ripple was lobbying legislators. And just a few weeks ago, we reported that bitcoin investor and lobbyist Brett Stapper has been meeting congressman and lawmakers regarding bitcoin. Stapper hopes to focus on “education and understanding of Bitcoin and other cryptographic based currencies,” according to filings. In addition, we’ve heard rumors that BitFury, the mining company that recently raised $20 million in funding from major venture capitalists has been in Washington, as well. It was reported that BitFury is planning on listing on the New York Stock Exchange, according to Crypto Crimson. CEO Valery Vavilov said, “The success of this funding round validates our strategy and brings us closer to our aspiration of becoming the world’s first publicly listed Bitcoin company.”
And, of course, DC has its own bitcoin ATM — and soon a bitcoin demo day.