Italian auctioneers to accept bids in Bitcoin
Italian auction house Sant'Agostino said on Wednesday that bidders at its next sale will be able to settle up in Bitcoin, a world first according to the auctioneers.
Early next week, around 600 Italian and foreign design objects, mostly pieces of furniture, will go under the hammer at Sant'Agostino and "Bitcoins will be accepted as payment", the Turin auction house said in a statement.
Paying with the crypto currency will also be allowed at the following auction at the end of November which will feature paintings, jewellery and watches.
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Bitcoin is not generally recognised as a proper currency – lacking a home country, central bank or treasury – although its real world use is constantly increasing.
It is traded through blockchain technology, which publicly records transaction details including the unique alphanumeric strings that identify buyers and sellers – technology which is gaining increasing currency among banks and companies.
Since its creation in 2009, the value of Bitcoin against traditional currencies has risen exponentially, although there have been periods of dizzying plunges, too.
It broke through the $5,000 level for the first time last week, having surged from $966 since the start of the year.
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Early next week, around 600 Italian and foreign design objects, mostly pieces of furniture, will go under the hammer at Sant'Agostino and "Bitcoins will be accepted as payment", the Turin auction house said in a statement.
Paying with the crypto currency will also be allowed at the following auction at the end of November which will feature paintings, jewellery and watches.
- For sale on Chinese site: Italian villa for $16.4m
- Outcry as Italy auctions off 'haunted island'
- Unseen papers of Mussolini's last meeting go to auction
Bitcoin is not generally recognised as a proper currency – lacking a home country, central bank or treasury – although its real world use is constantly increasing.
It is traded through blockchain technology, which publicly records transaction details including the unique alphanumeric strings that identify buyers and sellers – technology which is gaining increasing currency among banks and companies.
Since its creation in 2009, the value of Bitcoin against traditional currencies has risen exponentially, although there have been periods of dizzying plunges, too.
It broke through the $5,000 level for the first time last week, having surged from $966 since the start of the year.
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