Bitcoin

Coinitor - a bitcoin wallet monitor

A bitcoin wallet monitor.

Add in your bitcoin wallet public address (up to 3 wallets can be monitored at once) and this desktop app simply shows you the balance, the value in a currency of your choice and the number of wallet transactions.

The background bitcoin value barchart shows live data.

This is more secure than logging into your actual wallet to check the balance as it requires no passwords and doesn't need to know your private wallet key. It simply queries the blockchain to access public information about your wallet. In this way keyloggers etc will not pick up any useful info while you query your wallet.

Bitcoin

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Apt.....But bitcoin is probably far from dead.

Here's what happened:
MTGox, the biggest bitcoin exchange (apparently something like 90% of all bitcoin-fiat currency transactions went through here) had some bad code which allowed people to 'Double Spend' bitcoin that was held by the exchange. This theft went on unnoticed for several years and amounts to some 750,000 bitcoin going missing.

Bitcoin UK

So....everyone's probably heard of bitcoin, the digital currency that's supposedly changing the world.

While it's far from certain that bitcoin will survive, it is true that digital currency in a similar form is here to stay.

I've been playing around buying a small amount of bitcoin (and spending it on takeaway when it's value goes up) to understand how it works. In the UK it's not hugely easy to get hold of or spend. That fact that, like any new product/service, there are dodgy people trying to take advantage of people's lack of knowledge doesn't help matters.

Here's some lists of a few current trustworthy UK bitcoin sellers and businesses who accept it:

A good place to get an overview: (you'd don't need to do the sign in with facebook or sign up to coinbase bits)

try Bitcoin

Set up an online wallet:

Blockchain.info

NOTE: This is a good starting point. However, like a real wallet, only keep small amounts or spending money in here long term. You are trusting the wallet host not to suddenly disappear or be hacked.
Also, make sure you make a backup of the wallet (easy to do through the main interface).
If you have any significant money in bitcoin, you should move it to an offline/paper wallet.

Android - Standalone wallet:
Bitcoin Wallet

Android - Monitor the balance of your multiple wallets in one app
Bitcoin Wallet Balance

Buy bitcoin:

bitbargain.co.uk - Buy bitcoins safely from individuals using an escrow system. (I personally used this without problems.)
localbitcoins.com
zipzapinc.com - Buy bitcoins with cash from 28,000 outlets in the UK

Spend bitcoin:

Scan - electronics hardware
Takeaway.com - 8000 takeaways throughout the UK
8ballbikes - online bike shop
The chocolate tree - Edinburgh chocolate shop

cryptodechange.com - Exchange bitcoin for uk gift cards and more

Finally:

Coinmap.org - shows a zoomable world map of places which accept bitcoin.