2013-08-23 Bitcoin Magazine: Bitcoin in Berlin

[BitGo]

http://bitcoinmagazine.com/6487/bitcoin-in-berlin/

"Over the past two years, Berlin has gained a reputation as one of the Bitcoin capitals of the world."

"The most recent meetup on August 1 saw unusually high attendance, with a number of prominent Bitcoin activists from Europe and around the world attending; stateless political activist Mike Gogulski, Defense Disributed‘s Cody Wilson, Bitcoin developer Amir Taaki, bitcoin.de operator Oliver Flaskamper and Mihai Alisie and myself from Bitcoin Magazine were all present."

"there is no other city in the world with even ten Bitcoin-accepting locations, with second place perhaps going to San Francisco with around five. Berlin is thus pretty much the only city in the world where one can live entirely on Bitcoin without relying on an established support network, and enjoy the experience."

[minimalB]

This quote below is also very important. I was quite disappointed when i visited Kreuzberg myself.

"
It is important to point out that the picture of the Bitcoin Kiez in Berlin is not quite so rosy as some of its more fervent enthusiasts claim.

The media hype around the area can easily lead one to have the impression that the neighborhood around Room77 is plastered with Bitcoin-accepting businesses almost one after the other, and Bitcoin is “as easy to use as cash“. In reality, however, even in the heart of the Kiez around Room77 one needs to look hard to find the other Bitcoin businesses around.
"

[2weiX]

what you need to realize is that in that neighborhood, EVERY SINGLE house as a cafe, restaurant, cocktail bar or store in it. they just passed legislation to stop the opening of any MORE cafes. when the sun is out, every meter of sidewalk is used for little tables, stools, beer-banks and such.

so even if they have two dozen shops accepting bitcoins, that's still under 5% of the shops in Graefekiez.