One small step for bitcoin, one medium-sized leap for eBay.
Starting on Feb. 10, the UK section of the online marketplace will open a "virtual currency" category within its classified ads for the listing of Bitcoin, as well as its various offshoots — Coinyes, dogecoins and others that have emerged.
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Customers will be able to put up listings for virtual cturrencies and conceivably offer them as forms of payment in outside transactions. Purchases through eBay will still need to be in a government-issued currency.
“To promote a trustworthy marketplace and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, eBay is currently updating its Currency Policy," an eBay spokesperson told Mashable in an email. "The updated policy will clarify that listings for Bitcoin and other similar virtual currencies must be listed in the Virtual Currency Category in the Classified Ad format."
The virtual currency category is expected to be available on the UK site by Feb. 10, the spokesperson added.
Exchanges of virtual currencies through physical items — such as USB sticks or external hard drives — have taken place on eBay before. The new category will provide some legitimacy to the offerings and create an informal market for virtual currencies, albeit a very inefficient one.
The eBay spokesperson said that the company would only allow the deals in classified ad formats; the actual transactions would take place outside of eBay. This means no auctions or price-fixed offerings.
The site bills its classified ads as "a great way to list items, services, or properties for sale without creating an auction-style or fixed price listing."
The move by eBay is another step in the creep of virtual currencies, particularly Bitcoin, into mainstream online markets. The Sacramento Kings now accept Bitcoin.
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