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June 18, 2018, 08:23:02 AM |
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The Australian town of Agnes Water, close to the beach, turns into the country's first "digital currency city", seeking to attract international experts engaged in cryptography to develop tourism.
More than 30 local companies, including those engaged in housing rentals, tour operators, restaurants and a local pub in Agnes Water, now accept crypto-currencies, despite the fact that the whole city is 2000 permanent residents.
"Welcome to Agnes Water-1770, Australia's first digital currency city," says the billboard, greeting guests.
The initiative of the beach city to implement crypto-payments is connected with the local real estate agent Gordon Christian, who began studying crypto-currencies after the local businessman tried to receive bitco-payments from the client. Soon enough, Christian's interest grew when he learned that Brisbane International Airport, located five hours from Agnes Water, began accepting crypto-currencies at some outlets.
Christian realized that it would not be easy to promote the idea to local entrepreneurs.
"We started from scratch, shared it with several enterprises, and they are now on board ... I think they were the most advanced and heard about these types of payments," Christian said in an interview with ABC News.
"Initially, we had 10 companies that just said:" Well, let's go for this. "
Currently, 31 companies, including resorts, tour operators and travel agencies, the fast food sector are now accepting crypto-currency payments through an application developed by TravelbyBit. Payment is accepted: bitcoin, bitcoin cash, NEM, litecoin and ethereum.
"If you are traveling around the world, you have to deal with several currencies, the exchange rate can be confusing, sometimes you are trying to find ATMs, and sometimes you are deceived in exchanging money. Traveling with one global currency, such as bitcoyne ... makes sense ".
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