They say all that glitters is gold. Cash is king.
But a new way to buy things and maybe even make a little bit of money could be just feet away from the Cheetos at your local gas station.
"I even had a hard time with it!" explains Coinsource co-founder Bobby Sharp. "It's not physical."
Not physical - because it's a Bitcoin - a form of digital currency that's showing no signs of slowing down.
Bitcoin was created in 2009. There are no banks and no middle man, making it an easy way to send currency over the internet. And now, more and more retailers are accepting Bitcoin. According to eBay, popular sites like 1-800-Flowers, Overstock.com, and PayPal are now accepting this as a form of currency. (See eBay's full list of companies HERE)
"We think Bitcoin is just the beginning."
Sharp's company Coinsource boasts the nation's largest network of Bitcoin ATMs. There are now five of these ATMs across the Valley, like the one we visited in South Phoenix at 16th Street and Rosier Road.
But the currency doesn't come without fears over businesses held ransom over hackers, illegal purchases and questions about who's really behind all the buys.
"In the beginning, there were some bad eggs who got ahold of this and there still are," explains Sharp. "But I would argue when someone pulls a twenty dollar bill out of an ATM, you don't know where that goes either."
For a full list of Bitcoin ATMs in Arizona, CLICK HERE.
