Bitcoin Forum

Essentially, California previously had a law on the books that you could only buy and sell with U.S. dollars in California although it hasn't really been enforced. And now you can pay with cryptocurrencies. http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/29/california-law-clears-bitcoin-payment/?ncid=rss_truncated

On one hand this can be seen as Cali being on the cutting edge of things but on the other, it could be statist Cali doing what they do best: legislating.

Legalize bitcoin? Why do they need to do anything. Isn't something legal by default unless it's made illegal?

Yes. But Cali's law is funny that way. Long before Bitcoin was invented, they passed a law barring many types of payments. The definition they used in this law just happened to include Bitcoin. This new law exempts Bitcoin from this class of illegal payment mechanisms.

This is great news. Other states tend to follow Cali's lead on a number of issues.

Seeing how the US government auctioned off a shit ton of bitcoins, I don't see how California or other soon-to-follow states wouldn't call it legal, otherwise they'll just contradict each other. Written law that legalize bitcoin is actually a pretty big step forward for crypto currency's legitimacy.

 :)  It is a good news， because more people know bitcoin.

I am unaware of any other states that have such insane laws that required the exemption.

Good news.  :D

California love!
California is the best state of USA!
You make everything which is good and iligal LEGAL :D
I have o say it again everything which is good!
Hope when BTC goes high enough I can visit you and spend little on bars, hotels and souvenirs in your state!
Wish you all LUCK!
br

Sounds like someone in Silicon Valley wanted a bitcoin startup, their lawyers found this law, they threw some money at their lobbyist, and here we are today with this news.  Another day in politics.

however or why ever, it is good news

Think he meant regulated? Or at least with a warranty of btc not being banned in the near future, so there is more safety when accepting it for payment.

Finally something good for Bitcoin.

Agreed, at first Dickinson seemed to cloak this bill in amazon coins, starbucks stars, coupons, and reward points. He spoke modestly about bitcoin and played neutral but that quickly changed. A little "positive" media couldn't hurt either  

Everything, even bad news are good for Bitcoin and it's holders, in fact bad news increases more Bitcoin's popularity...

This is far from being the first good new for bitcoin. That law was in no way inforced, so its almost the same as usual, but everyday there are shops accepting bitcoins, that MIT stuff, laws and regulations favorable to BTC, etc, etc... , just the FUD and bad news can be too noisy sometimes

California enacted the currency law in response to the use of the Mexican peso in commerce within the state.

No one paid much attention to it anyway.

Just grandstanding.

This is great news, it will attract more people in  I am sure and I think it is because of the government bitcoin auction, since the government itself is selling bitcoins, no reason why it shouldn't be legal.

Has Vegas legalized it yet?

It wasn't ever illegal in NV. The Golden Gate and the D have been accepting Bitcoin for food & lodging for quite some time now.

Never mind. At least the law making can adapt to the changing situation and are able to service the great interest of the population in Cali.

Yep. There has been a ton of good news for bitcoin if one is paying attention. I think such a long string of good news has made us a bit ho hum about these stories.