LIVEBLOG: our bid to buy Bitcoin

By Jon Stibbs and Manisha Jha

2.08 p.m.

And we did it!

2.07 p.m.

Here we are translating bitcoin QR codes into yummy things.

2.06 pm

We hop over to the cafe counter to finally place our order as promised-coffee and cake.

 

2.05 pm

Success.Job done!

2 pm

Time to put in a five pound note next.

13.55pm

We’re in full flow now. Just a phone synch away to get our first bit coins!and its done.

13.54pm

Manisha is stepping up to the ATM. There is some anxiety at this delicate point.

 

12.26pm

There is a short hiatus as Manisha’s charges her phone before The Big Bitcoin Purchase. And then there will be both coffee and cake.

In the meantime, we are told that very little tangible is bought with Bitcoins in Shoreditch, however, the nifty little ATM does busy work. So what are people buying then?

Drugs, we are told.

This may nor or not be true.

12.15pm

We have located the ATM. It is working. I repeat, it is working.

Not only that but we have successfully downloaded a wallet.

Things are definitely turning our way. Coffee and cake are looking increasingly likely.

13.08pm

We’re in and assessing the situation:

 

12.54pm

Our next stop: Old Shoreditch Station. If this fails, we’re told there’s also an ATM at the Google campus on Old Street but I doubt they would let us in.

 

12.30pm

Disaster!

Our first attempt has been thwarted but it would have been a good place to take up vaping. if you’re into that sort of thing. The House of Vapes is great but curiously short of a 3d printer.

Onwards!

12.27pm

We’re in and our arrival into a new economic world beckons.

 

12.17pm

The window holds the heady promise of both Bitcoin and vaping!

 

12.11pm

We’re at House of Vapes and the internet has promised a Bitcoin ATM.

 

11.15am

After months of reporting on Bitcoin, we head to Shoreditch to see how easy it really is to buy. Our next challenge is to gain a glimpse of life beyond the “fiat” currencies declared legal tender by the authorities. Can we convert cash to cake via Bitcoin?