Bitcoins, and the global network of computers that supports them, first appeared in 2009 and since then it has become a very widely used alternative payments system. Many people "mine" the coins by participating in that network and a growing number of web stores and online firms accept bitcoins as payment. One bitcoin is currently worth about £8 ($13). Under European laws, the deal means Bitcoin-C
![Virtual cash exchange becomes bank](https://cdn-ak-scissors.b.st-hatena.com/image/square/836efec2e8f6172d91ea4ef10f55dc1696434214/height=288;version=1;width=512/https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Fnews%2F1024%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F62688000%2Fjpg%2F_62688539_bits.jpg)