I will trade 7.70 BTC for a $100 Wal-Mart Gift Card or a $100 Safeway Gift Card. I can handle several gift cards if you would like to trade me more than one.

I have references here:

http://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=26907.0

You send first. PM me if interested.

Thanks,
Trader Steve

With the recent financial losses suffered by some at the hands of exchanges like Bitomat.pl now is a good time to revisit the importance of decentralizing exchanges. I'm posting some random thoughts and suggestions below and I invite anyone to add their suggestions to this thread as well.

The way I see it, here are a few ideas:

1. Develop your local network of trusted trading partners.
2. Introduce friends to bitcoin by sending them to sites like http://www.BitcoinTraining.com (I put together this site to make it easier for me to use personally - anyone else is free to use it and offer improvements)
3. As you introduce those who are already in your trusted network a "ready exchange" will develop - giving you local liquidity for going in to - and out of - bitcoin
4. If you have a business, advertise your willingness to accept bitcoin. Offer local exchanges.
5. Create a local bitcoin "MeetUp" group [http://www.meetup.com] or join an existing one - make friends, exchange contact info, and begin providing liquidity to each other. Meet for coffee, shoot the bull, and make exchanges.
6. Take advantage of sites like http://www.BTCNearMe.com, http://www.TradeBitcoins.com, and http://www.BitcoinLocator.com to meet other bitcoin users in your area.
7. Create a local YahooGroup or email list to stay in touch and broadcast your desire to buy or sell bitcoin

By developing these trusted, local networks you reduce your dependence on the major exchanges and you avoid the hassles and risk of leaving money on an exchange.

Any other ideas?

[ANNOUNCING: The World's First Bitcoin Luxury Wrist Watch]

ANNOUNCING: The World's First Bitcoin Luxury Wrist Watch
Proudly offered by the Horolotech Watch Company:


Picture of the see-through exhibition case back with "BTC" engraved on the rotor:













Watch Specifications:

* Water tested to 10 ATM
(100 meters/330 feet)
* Swiss 25 jewel ETA Valjoux 7750 Automatic Chronograph movement
with Perlage & Cote de Geneve finish
* “BTC” engraved on the rotor
* Non-glare genuine sapphire glass
* See-through exhibition sapphire glass back
* Black Dial w/ white luminous
* 43mm x 15mm Stainless Steel case
* Screw down crown
* Di Modell Croco Grain Strap (black w/white stitching)
* Mahogany multi-function winder box
* 3-year warranty
* Limited Edition - 500 pieces

UPDATE: The "BITCOIN CHRONOGRAPH has arrived! Be a part of bitcoin history and own one of these limited edition chronographs today!

Video of the legendary Valjoux 7750 movement being assembled:
http://hiro.alliancehorlogere.com/en/Under_the_Loupe/ETA_7750

Investment: $2,145 or bitcoin equivalent

Now taking orders - delivery time is approximately 3 - 5 weeks.

For more info:
http://www.horolotech.com/lt1.html

18k Gold Model is also available. Limited to 50 pieces. Now taking pre-orders. Priced at $9,995 or bitcoin equivalent:

[Announcing: BuyMyBitcoin.com]

Update: I am no longer offering this service and I no longer control this domain.

Announcing: BuyMyBitcoin.com!

This site will be a place where you can buy or sell your bitcoin in auction format.

You will be able to:

1. set "reserve", "no reserve" and "buy it now" for selling your bitcoin
2. dictate your preferred method of payment (payments will be settled directly between buyer and seller)
3. build your reputation through feedback
4. have FREE listings with miniscule commissions on closed auctions (introductory commissions will be FREE for a period of time and then they will be competitive with the exchanges)

Benefits:

1. person to person trades
2. build your reputation
3. price discovery for bitcoin outside of the exchanges
4. and more things that I can't think of at the moment  

I am an investor who is funding a large portion of this project. If you have any suggestions or features that you would like to see on the site please post them below or send me a PM.

Expected launch date: 7 - 14 days.

Your feedback and suggestions are appreciated!

Okay, here's the bounty:

10 BTC for the best logo design. Post your design in this thread. I will set up a poll where people can vote on the best with the winner getting the bounty, free publicity, admiration and envy of the community!

Thanks,
Trader Steve

[Announcing BTCGiftCards.com]

Edit: I no longer control this domain name and I no longer provide this service.

Announcing BTCGiftCards.com

You can now trade your bitcoin for Gift Cards (Walmart, Target and Safeway) at BTCGiftCards.com

Walmart Gift Cards $100 denomination each – Ask Price: the 24/hr low of the Mt.Gox USD/BTC exchange rate + 4%

Target Gift Cards $100 denomination each – Ask Price: the 24/hr low of the Mt.Gox USD/BTC exchange rate + 4%  

Safeway Gift Cards $100 denomination each – Ask Price: the 24/hr low of the Mt.Gox USD/BTC exchange rate + 4%

Other Gift Cards - with your Walmart, Target or Safeway Gift Card you can buy just about any other gift card out there - pre-paid Visa cards, Specialty Store Cards, Amazon, iTunes, restaurants, etc.

The Safeway Gift Cards are good in the U.S. for anything sold in the following stores:

Safeway - (also good for gas at Safeway gas stations)
Vons
Carrs Safeway
Genuardis
Pavilions
Dominicks
Randalls
Pak-n-Save Foods
Tom Thumb (not in California)

FREE Shipping to USA

I've got lots of testimonials all over the forums so you can trade with confidence.

Gift cards are shipped anywhere in the USA

Visit http://www.BTCGiftCards.com for more info.

Sincerely,
Trader Steve
http://www.BTCGiftCards.com

From:
http://www.cafepress.com/FreedomSchool1

 

Reading the following article and got to thinking how those of us holding bitcoin and bullion (vs. bank deposits) would be in pretty good shape should the following event happen:

What An American Bank Run Would Look Like

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/what-american-bank-run-would-look

Here's a fun calculation: There are 166,000 tonnes of gold in the world (source: World Gold Council). Each tonne consists of 32,150 troy ounces for a total of 5,336,900,000 ounces. Divide that amount by the eventual total number of bitcoin (21,000,000) and you get 254 ounces of gold per bitcoin. With gold at a US dollar value of $1,600 that would equate to $406,400 per bitcoin.

32150 x 166000 = 5,336,900,000 oz / 21,000,000 = 254 oz per 1 BTC or 254 x $1,600 gold = $406,400 per BTC

Do I think a bitcoin will eventually be worth $406, 400? I have no idea... What do you think?

Update 6/1/12: I no longer own the following domains: GoldStarBullion.com and BitcoinTraining.com

Please view or leave feedback for me in this thread.

Before leaving negative feedback please pm me and allow me the opportunity to make sure you are 100% happy.

Thanks!
Trader Steve

Curious if there's enough spread for profit after fees to sell on Mt.Gox and buy on TradeHill. Prices at this instant are: Mt.Gox: $15.44 and TradeHill: $15.22

Trader Steve

[GAS]

Hello All,

I've got several Safeway Food and Fuel Gift Cards which can be used for anything in their stores including GAS.

These gift cards are good in USA and Canada at the following stores:

Safeway
Vons
Carrs Safeway
Genuardis
Pavillions
Dominick's
Randalls
Pak n Save Foods
Tom Thumb (not in CA)

Each gift card comes with a $100 balance and I will trade for 7.45 BTC each (subject to change). Please PM me for current quote.

I also have Walmart gift cards with the same terms.

Limited supply.

Lots of references. PM me for more info.

Thanks,
Trader Steve

Nice and easy wallet solution for iPhone:

http://bitcointraining.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/simple-wallet-solution-for-iphone/

I’ve put together a simple tutorial for iPhone users where you can have quick and easy access to an online wallet where you can keep bitcoin “pocket change” – (enough for meals, taxi fares, small payments, etc.).  This would be the equivalent of what you would carry in your regular wallet for your daily needs.

Here’s how I did it:

I opened my iPhone browser and navigated to the link:  http://www.instawallet.org

This url creates an instant URL unique to your browsing session and it assigns you a bitcoin payment address that is visible right on the screen. The first thing you want to do is bookmark this unique URL. Next, double click and copy the bitcoin payment address that is generated for you on the page. Paste it into a new “Notes” page on your iPhone notepad. Make yourself a note that this is your “InstaWallet payment address” for receiving payments. This is the address you will give to others when you want to receive a small payment.  Here is what my Note now looks like:

    My InstaWallet payment address:

    1ME6HTc8aYtzkb43HfpmzGBtdGb7bfJMKz

I also emailed to my iPhone my bitcoin “savings” payment address (this is my separate and secure bitcoin wallet address to where I keep my savings at home) and then I copied and pasted this savings address to my same “Notes” page so it now looks like this:

    My InstaWallet payment address:

    1ME6HTc8aYtzkb43HfpmzGBtdGb7bfJMKz

    My Savings payment Address:

    1ME6HTc8aYtzkb43HfpmzGBtdGb7bfJMKz

[Note: in this example I've used the same payment address for both but in reality I have a separate payment address for my "savings" address]

With my unique InstaWallet URL now saved as a bookmark in my iPhone, and my “sending” and “receiving” addresses in my Notes page, I am now almost ready to do business.

First I send a small amount of funds from my “savings” account over to my InstaWallet payment address. My first transfer was a few of bitcoin (about $50 worth). In my bitcoin “savings” client I save and label my InstaWallet payment address so I’ll have it quickly available for the next time I want to “top up” my iPhone wallet.

Now I am fully prepared to engage in small transactions quickly and easily from my iPhone. If I want to stop on over to Mezze Grill for lunch I simply scan their QR code for the bitcoin payment address, open up my bookmarked InstaWallet page, and paste the payment address into the payment field and press “send payment”.  If my buddy wants to reimburse me for drinks I simply open my Notes page, copy my InstaWallet payment address, paste it into a text and send it over to him so he can pay me. If I end up receiving several small payments that add up to more than I feel comfortable keeping in my mobile wallet I simply send a payment over to my “savings” address.

My iPhone is password protected and I don’t carry around any more money in this wallet than I can afford to lose without too much heartburn. If I wanted, I could also securely write down my unique InstaWallet URL and keep it in a safe place in case my iPhone is lost or stolen. In the event my iPhone is lost or stolen I could simply enter the URL in my home browser and spend out the funds to my savings account.

There you have it – a simple and easy mobile wallet for your iPhone! If you found this info valuable please send a tip to my payment address above and help buy me a drink!

Enjoy!

[Expect bitcoin to be "banned" - expect the ban to be ignored]

Interesting article:

Expect bitcoin to be "banned" - expect the ban to be ignored
by Anthony Freeman
http://economicsandliberty.wordpress.com/2011/07/03/expect-bitcoin-to-be-%E2%80%9Cbanned%E2%80%9D-expect-the-ban-to-be-ignored/

Man, by nature, wants to be free. He wants to choose how he lives his life. He wants to choose with whom he will associate. He wants to choose with whom he will trade. He wants to choose how his money is spent. Bitcoin gives him a greater ability to do all of these.

In my previous posts (here, here, here and here) I point out the endearing features of bitcoin and the direct threat of bitcoin to governments and central banks. Because bitcoin has the potential to make these institutions obsolete, expect them to attempt to ban and restrict bitcoin anyway they can.

The incentives to use bitcoin are too great. Yes, I expect bitcoin to be “banned” and restricted by central planners in many ways. I also expect these bans and restrictions to be ignored and circumvented. The incentives are too great. Man wants to be free.

While thinking about the possible attacks against bitcoin holdings the threat of Electro-Magnetic Pulses popped up. So my questions are:

1. How susceptible are bitcoin holdings to Electro-Magnetic Pulses (whether they be highly targeted or a more generalized attack)?

and

2. What are some of the possible defenses?

Thanks,
Trader Steve

Current price (subject to change) is 100.64 BTC with FREE shipping to USA. Pix below and you can place your order at http://www.GoldStarBullion.com. References available upon request.~Trader Steve

Lots of references available upon request. Here's the pix:



PM me if  you are interested.

Thanks!
Trader Steve

Doug Casey just came out with his knee-jerk reaction to bitcoin:

Doug Casey on Bitcoin and Currencies

http://www.caseyresearch.com/cwc/doug-casey-bitcoin-and-currencies

Here is a better analysis:

Bitcoin: A New Commodity To Serve Market Demand

http://economicsandliberty.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/bitcoin-a-new-commodity-created-to-serve-market-demand/

Comments?

Currently selling Silver Rounds (1oz Troy .999 Fine) @ 2.37 BTC each with FREE shipping to anywhere in the USA. Plenty of references, ClearCoin Escrow okay. Price subject to change until your order is placed and price locked.

Limit: 20 oz per order while supplies last.

PM me if interested.

TraderSteve

For your reading pleasure:

Bitcoin: A New Commodity To Serve Market Demand
http://economicsandliberty.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/bitcoin-a-new-commodity-created-to-serve-market-demand/

Great Article:

Bitcoin and the "non-economists" at The Economist
http://economicsandliberty.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/bitcoin-and-the-non-economists-at-the-economist/