It's fair to say that Bitcoin mania has gripped the world and nobody, not even the most respectable expert, knows whether the cryptocurrency is going to thrive, stagnate, or crash harder than a meteorite. Bitcoin has changed the way people do business in some pretty unexpected ways. As it turns out, even the adult entertainment industry has been affected - and is capitalising on the craze in a pretty novel way. For those who are unfamiliar with the way it works, allow me to briefly explain.
Bitcoin was originally invented in 2009 and was released as open-source software by either an anonymous group or an individual going by the name "Satoshi Nakamoto". The term "Bitcoin" refers to interchangeable online tokens; random sequences of digits and characters which people (referred to as "miners") attempt to estimate the value of using computer programs. Once a lucky miner manages to guess the sequence, they receive the Bitcoin for themselves and know its value. The profit is generated through transactions, since it's simpler to buy Bitcoin from those who have already solved the puzzles, rather than tediously mine all day. You can use Bitcoin to store money or share it with associates, and try to make 50 Bitcoin or a "block". Blocks are collectively referred to as "blockchains", which contain the entire history of every transaction which has occurred on the Bitcoin network.
But now, a Las Vegas strip club has announced that it will be accepting Bitcoin, as well as other types of cryptocurrency, as a form of payment for customers who are looking to be a bit more discreet when enjoying a night out. Clients can pay for dancers directly via Bitcoin transfers, in case they're married or in a relationship and want to disguise their payments from their significant others, or if they just want to impress others with their more modern method of solicitation.
Dancers will now wear temporary QR tattoos on their bodies while strutting their stuff on stage and those people who want to buy a private dance can simply scan barcodes from the dancers' bodies using their smartphones. Users are invited to purchase Bitcoin from the lobby ATM and buy specialised tokens which provide members with VIP privileges.
The strip club, which is named The Legends Room, opened back in May 2017 and can be found on South Valley View Boulevard. The bar's homepage specifically states: "The most poplar [sic] form of digital currency used in the club is bitcoin followed by our own token, LGD. We’ve has customers pay in Ethereum, DASH, and Litecoin too. Best to call ahead if you want to use coins other than Bitcoin or Ethereum ... Our staff is well versed in accepting digital payments in the club ... As an added incentive, if you pay with the Legends coin, you will receive a 20 per cent bonus on club services."
The bar was founded by former martial artist Nick Blomgren, who claims that the Bitcoin venture is also a ploy to attract more millennial customers to the bar. In a recent interview with Las Vegas Now, Blomgren explained: "It's the best place to spend it if you don't want your wife to know or you don't want your boyfriend to know.... In the beginning it was like a lot of Bitcoin guys came in, a lot of members came in and wanted to use their [tokens] to see if they can buy anything here at the club because nobody really thought that the club existed in the beginning So now it's, it's become like a curiosity. 'Let's go down there and see if we can use our cryptocurrency.'"
The Legends Room even hired their own cryptocurrency specialist for the grand opening. Peter Klamka is the man responsible for the club's foray into the world of Bitcoin, and he believes that adding Bitcoin and QR codes to the strip club’s repertoire will help it to attract a wealthier and more sophisticated clientele. In a recent interview with Motherboard, Klamka stated: "If you think about who owns Bitcoin and who uses it - younger, technologically inclined, likes the idea of nightclubs and beautiful women— we created an opportunity for somewhere they’d really want to spend it ... Vegas is all about what’s new, what’s different. So let’s put a QR code on a porn star’s thigh and you can scan your app or even your blockchain wallet right on her thigh - Then all of a sudden you’ve got a real draw."
It all feels pretty Black Mirror, doesn't it? Well, as a matter of fact, this isn't the first time that people who are well-versed in the erotic arts have used Bitcoin to give them an extra edge. Check out this article about the online dominatrix who employed a slave army to mine bitcoin for her - turning her into a bona fide millionaire.
Featured illustration by Egarcigu