Bitcoin might be magical internet money, but it has a very physical side in the form of the mining equipment needed to maintain the network. And if you’re someone that doesn’t like to leave an online trail or use a credit card for all your purchases, nothing beats a store IRL. That’s why bitcoin hardware stores are popping up all over the world, and now miners in South Africa too can just walk into a shop, pay on the spot and get their rigs to go.
Bitcoin Market South Africa.
Bitmart, a supplier of bitcoin mining hardware from South Africa, has recently announced the official opening of its first retail store. Besides ASICs, GPU miners, and other relevant hardware and software components, the store will also stock cryptocurrency merchandise such as branded watches, t-shirts, caps, hardware wallets, and more.
The company is aiming to create a cryptocurrency community hub around the shop in South Africa with educational seminars and also hosts a Bitcoin ATM for clients to make fiat exchanges. They accept fiat cash, EFT (a South African internet banking payment transfer service), credit cards and of course all major cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, ethereum, dash, bitcoin cash, and litecoin as payment.
Looking at the additional services that Bitmart offers South Africans, it seems to be targeting aspiring crypto entrepreneurs, not just small mom and pop miners. These include bitcoin mining farm development, deployment and management, container-based mining solutions, and large-scale deployment and supply. Bitmart also offers a “Shepherd Service“ that will protect people or companies who wish to buy second-hand miners. It even offers to help businesses put systems in place to accept bitcoin as payment for services or products.
South Africa is of course not the only place in the world where you can buy a bitcoin miner from an actual brick-and-mortar establishment. It was recently reported that one large electronics mall in Singapore already has at least five mining hardware shops.