Bitcoin: The Early Market

Abstract

Bitcoin is a decentralized virtual crypto currency that has attracted attention from technologists, economists, consumers, regulators, black marketeers, venture capitalists and Wall Street commentators to name a few. While many debate issues such as whether or not bitcoin is money, how might it ultimately be regulated and whether or not it represents a truly disruptive innovation, this paper examines the current landscape of bitcoin and identifies some of the early adopters and significant events that have contributed to this unfolding phenomenon.