You may be hearing the word “cryptocurrency” pretty frequently in the news these days, from the market falling and rising again, to Elon Musk announcing that Tesla will no longer accept Bitcoin — one type of cryptocurrency — and El Salvador becoming the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender.
While it may still feel like a foreign concept, Chattanooga’s community has been familiar with cryptocurrency since as early as 2014 .
Most recently, local furniture retailer Huck & Peck announced that it will begin accepting bitcoins as payment.
💰What is Cryptocurrency?
Simply put, these digital “tokens” are intangible assets exchanged for real money that can be utilized to purchase goods + services. According to CoinMarketMap , there are currently 6,700+ different cryptocurrencies available to the public, equalling a total value of $1.9 trillion.
💰How to learn more locally
- BlockTalk: A dialogue about all things blockchain | Local group of ~150 members who discuss the blockchain + cryptocurrency space once a month. The group is open to all knowledge levels.
- Blockchain in Transport Alliance | This locally-based biz is working to build a set of industry standards for logistics in blockchain — the record-keeping technology behind the Bitcoin network.
💰Other places in Chattanooga that accept cryptocurrency
- NovaWhite , 2401 Broad St.
- Nooga Labs , 607 E. Main St.
- Chattanooga Times Free Press | Can be used for subscriptions
- Whole Foods | Various locations | According to Reddit , Cryptocurrency can be exchanged for a gift card to use at the store
Bonus: There are also several gas stations around town that host Crypto ATMs
, where you can purchase Bitcoin worth anywhere from $20-$12,500.