Bitcoin startup DigitalBTC launches on Australian Securities Exchange

The latest addition to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) may give an indication of things to come for bitcoin investment later this year. Starting today, Australia-based bitcoin services provider DigitalBTC has become the first cryptocurrency company to be traded on a major world exchange. Although DigitalBTC’s business model is based primarily on bitcoin mining, rather than as an exchange-traded fund (ETF), the listing is a major test of mainstream interest and acceptance of bitcoin-related businesses.

DigitalBTC’s mining operations have reportedly earned them around 5,100 BTC this year, and its trading desk has reported revenues of 34% in May. That’s an attractive package for a would-be investor.

With the Winklevoss Twins’ bitcoin ETF expected to launch on the NASDAQ in Q3, and several other publicly traded funds expected to follow, how Australian investors react to DigitalBTC’s listing could provide several important hints about those securities’ future performance. Many in the bitcoin community have long suspected that Wall Street interest in digital currency will be significant, but the ASX listing is the first time that theory will be tested.

DigitalBTC has a partnership with mining hardware maker BitFury, and may have some connection to the controversial GHash pool that recently gained control of over half of the total bitcoin network hashpower. BitFury recently received an investment round of $20 million.