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Bitcoin’s First Appearances On Mainstream Media

Last Updated March 4, 2021 4:45 PM
Justin OConnell
Last Updated March 4, 2021 4:45 PM

CCN.com took some time to compile a list of the original appearances of Bitcoin on mainstream media television. There is this PC World report, which features a video , and got a response from Satoshi Nakamoto:

It would have been nice to get this attention in any other context. WikiLeaks has kicked the hornet’s nest, and the swarm is headed towards us.

Satoshi Nakamoto, 12/11/2010 

Enjoy:

May 6, 2011 – Horizont ČT24

I only understood Bitcoin and Satoshi Nakamoto

June 2011 – ABC

“Lsd, cocaine and ecstasy,” starts this segment. Sound like fun? During the time this segment aired, business was booming on the Silk Road, a four month old website at the time. Called the eBay and Amazon of drug trafficking. Certain customer reviews are highlighted: “Highly professional” and “amazing product.” A focus of this piece is that addiction is bad. The video features interviews with an unnamed SR admin who says the website is satisfying people and enriching their lives. As the reporter says, “The web address isn’t even silk road.com!”  Michael George, the reporter, then explains Tor without calling it by name. Interestingly, in this report, there is no mention of Bitcoin, just a screenshot of a black and white BTC symbol.

June 2011 – RT

Is this where Keiser turns? June 2011

*Adam Kokesh has early video  on RT with Stefan Molyneux in mid-2011 discussing Bitcoin.

Jul 18, 2011 –  CNN

This video details Bitcoin’s uncertain future and highlights the Mezze Grill, a Bitcoin accepting restaurant in NYC. At the time of this video, there were 6.5 million bitcoins in circulation. The video features an interview with Bruce Wagner and Jason Tan. Tan discusses the libertarian aspects of Bitcoin and claims they are “created out of thin air.” That bitcoins can be used to launder drugs – and might be a ponzi scheme – is mentioned in the short segment voiced by Felicia Taylor.

Sep 29, 2011 – DWF

This is a hard-hitting segment talking about the failing European and US economic systems. Stefan Thomas, founder of weusecoins.com, is interviewed in this segment for German public television.

Feb 8, 2012 – BBC

Bitcoin is mentioned first as the layer of secrecy protecting Silk Road users. Guns were on sale on the Silk Road at this time. The journalists in the video bought some DMT from Silk Road. It tested genuine by scientists.

April 17 2012 – CTV

This segment was supposed to be about MintChip but its focus is on Bitcoin. Jerry Brito gives a good description of Bitcoin. “With mintchip the mint and governments around the world are recognizing that we are going to be moving to digital currencies,” he says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70NajeUt2r8

July 12 2012 – Bloomberg

Bitcoin is made by geeks who use complex computers, according to this report, released when there were $130 million worth of Bitcoin in existence. You may have to be a computer geek to make them, but they could be used to fund terrorist transactions.

December 5, 2012 – ABC News Australia

Hey, this video has some fun rave scenes and fun quotes about drugs helping you embrace music and that they’re easy to get with or without the SIlk Road. Ryan West, former Silk Road drug dealer, is interviewed. He recalls Valentine’s Days sales on Silk Road. Security expert Chris McDonald says here Silk Road is unbeatable. “We’re talking tens of thousands if not millions of years to break into these algorithms.” Bill remembers when a surge in American traffic brought the site down.

This appears to be the first mainstream mention of Dread Pirate Roberts. Dr Monica Barrat, National Drug Research institute, claims to have spoken with DPR. DPR claimed to her he was, on the side of Silk Road, creating a community of libertarian revolutionaries.