Written by @DerrickJFreeman

11:19am Wed, Feb 19, 2014 - Traveling through Boston's South Station? Next to Track 6 on the train platform, you'll notice a mysterious device that has appeared. It's the first public Bitcoin ATM in the US. The machine is about 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide and rests on a high table. A banner beside the device reads "LIBERTY TELLER: Bitcoin in 30 seconds". Welcome to 2014, where it's now faster to get bitcoin on your way through South Station than to get a coffee. 

If you've spent any time in the bitcoin space, you've seen these machines before. They're the Lamassu model, designed and produced by a team of brilliant Bitcoin Mavericks in New Hampshire. You can feed in over 50 different currencies of paper money, and the machine sends the value in bitcoin right to your smartphone. The Philly-based company Liberty Teller launched their service today. The above image appeared in a post on reddit, apparently from a traveler passing through South Station, surprised by the release.

According to the website at LibertyTeller.com, a map of "locations" suggests Liberty Tellers will be releasing more machines in other popular venues in the coming year, but owners Kyle Powers and Chris Yim are quiet about details. I am traveling to use the Liberty Teller tonight and will publish a video report on it tomorrow to BitcoinPHL.com.  --  @DerrickJFreeman

Inkster is a startup based out of the new Philly Impact Hub the shared working  space that replaced 3rd Ward.   I was there today.  I have to say, it was an impressive facility.  Fortunately, the owner of Inkster was caught in traffic, so I was able to chat up one of the founders about Bitcoin and why they should accept it.   He seemed interested and I have a feeling they may bite, if only for the publicity. 

Inkster's founder, Douglas Wong, is quite the character.  Filled with energy and a overflowing with passion for his new venture.  From what I could gather during our rapid-fire conversation, Inkster is trying to be a place where artists can have their artwork printed affordably, in high quality and full color, on nice Tee's for super cheap.  I won't quote numbers here, but it sounds like a significant part of the money goes right to the artist. They print everything in-house with a super duper high tech full color digital printer.

Doug had also asked if people from BitcoinPHL would volunteer to be in a commercial for his company.  He produces 2-3 short, humorous commercials each week and an idea for one that involves Bitcoin.  We may try and coordinate it with the Philadelphia Brewing Company Brewery Tour to maximize turn-out.   Details to follow.  

Doug had also volunteered the Impact Hub as a place for us to hold some meetings.   While I personally don't think that it would be the best spot for our weekly meetings, I definitely think it would be a great spot to do presentations or special events.   I'm going to propose that we do a presentation to all the different companies on why Bitcoin rulz and why they should accept it.

Stay tuned!   There's some exciting shit going down!

 

Tonight Steven and I went to Higher Grounds Cafe, where I purchased my first-ever coffee with bitcoin. I got a large mocha latte, and I enjoyed it so much, I got a second one before leaving! This cafe has a great atmosphere and music selection, plus a wide variety of delicious food and hot drinks. The best part is you can pay for your order in bitcoins! I look forward to returning tomorrow to talk with the owners on video about their decision to accept bitcoin as payment.

It was a quick, easy, and overall pleasant experience ordering and paying with bitcoin! The cashier totaled my order and presented me with the cafe's bitcoin address in a QR code. I scanned the code with my phone and typed in the amount owed (plus a tip), and hit send! That's it! I highly recommend supporting this bitcoin-friendly business!

Couldn't make it? Here is an edited audio recording of tonight's conversation:

- Derrick J Freeman, Dec 17, 2013

Look at this awesome pamphlet designed by Davi Barker of Bitcoin Not Bombs. Share it with your friends! Print some and hand them out at your next trade show or speaking engagement! Leave some in the Dr's office waiting room, or maybe even your local bank's lobby...

Link to PDF: http://simplpost.com/bitcoinphiladelphia/upload/HoneyBadgerTrfold_2.pdf

- Derrick J Freeman, December 17, 2013

The guys at the meet-up were animated, ears cocked to learn. Can you get refunds in Bitcoin? Can you do escrow transactions? Where's a good place to go for information? 
"There's a lot I don't know," Said Jason DiLuzio of Fishtown, "but there's someone here who will know, and maybe I'll know something they don't."
Wharton School students Kyle Powers and Chris Yim are vets of the Bitcoin world. "We have vendors, researchers, even a couple academics," Powers said. "It's a very open group," Yim said. "We're trying to get integratd into the local community."