Finland might be the first country for widespread Bitcoin adoption!

[kangasbros]

OK, I don't want to be nationalistic, but what about a little competition between countries in bitcoin adoption metrics?

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitpay-exceeds-1-000-merchants-130000458.html

"As a result of the secretary of the Central Bank of Finland publicizing that bitcoin is legal to use in Finland, many businesses have seized the opportunity to accept bitcoin. Some of the rather unique merchants in Finland include a dentist office, a veggieburger restaurant chain, and a funeral service."

[Severian]

Makes sense. A Finn gave Linux to the world, after all.

[kangasbros]

And additionally you can buy silver and gold with bitcoins from an actual store in Finland as well: http://hopea.fi/ (sorry, only in finnish).

Over-the-counter bitcoins coming soon...

[Technomage]

Everything with bitcoins coming soon.

At least that's the plan.

[HostFat]

Someone should open a stats page
Let's see which is the next country with more services on next months ( and let's bet )

[Herodes]

this just needs to be said:

FUCKING AWESOME!

[The_Duke]

Long admired Finland (Getaway in Stockholm

Really?  

[kiba]

This seems to be just a press release.

[knight22]

Wow great news!

[Badonkadonk]

Wow, very impressive. Long admired Finland (Getaway in Stockholm as much as Linus ), its already on my list of sensible countries to move to when the western madness gets to much and this is another step in that direction.

  +1

[fornit]

i think this could have great value for bitcoin, since they have lots of timber and the best javelin throwers in the world.



(also good education, high per capita income, a thriving it sector, free press and stuff)

[impulse]

I follow Bitcoin news pretty closely and I didn't hear any news coming from the Finland Central Bank. When did that happen? Do we have any more information on this?

[dissipate]

this just needs to be said:

FUCKING AWESOME!

How is Norway coming along with Bitcoin adoption?

[benjamindees]

I wonder what smartphone adoption is like in Finland.  Or do they all use Nokias?

[Domrada]

I follow Bitcoin news pretty closely and I didn't hear any news coming from the Finland Central Bank. When did that happen? Do we have any more information on this?

I had the same reaction to this news. Can anyone verify this? Source? Reference?

[stick_theman]

Love Finland!  You Fins know how to sauna! e.g. Avantouinti 

[hxtop]

That great news.
I think so that Finland might be the first country for widespread Bitcoin adoption!

[Piper67]

I follow Bitcoin news pretty closely and I didn't hear any news coming from the Finland Central Bank. When did that happen? Do we have any more information on this?

I had the same reaction to this news. Can anyone verify this? Source? Reference?

Can't find the thread right now, but there was one about Finland declaring, somewhat officially, that there was nothing wrong with Bitcoin in principle.

Edit: here it is... https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=100924.msg1104056#msg1104056

[interlagos]

Here is the video of a TV program aired to 500,000 citizens on a national YLE2 channel, where Finnish Central Bank representative admits that Bitcoins are perfectly legal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjo_w9gPch0
It's in Finnish though.

Here is the related thread:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=100924.0

[Technomage]

It isn't exactly an official announcement but their representative did say that in an interview for the biggest TV channel in Finland. So it is fairly legitimate.