Butterfly labs has posted conclusive evidence that their chips actually do exist. See the two photos below that are posted to the BFL forums today. 

This is the first photographic evidence that the ASIC chips produced by Butterfly Labs actually exists. This photographic documentation has been 6+ months in the making.

How long until the mining hardware actually ships....Who knows??

Mar 2 - Update - First Batch of chips being functionally tested.

Source Link

Two young entrepreneurs Zach Harvey and Matt Whitlock from New Hampshire have a desire to see Bitcoins made readily accessible through the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and have developed the first prototype of such a device called "The Bitcoin Machine". 

This ATM machine differs in that it accepts common paper currency and dispenses electronic Bitcoins into your electronic wallet. 

What differentiates this machine lies in the speed and simplicity of the technology developed inside. Whereas, typical Bitcoin transactions may take up to one hour for validation, this machine will accept currency, validate and transfer Bitcoins to your electronic wallet in only 5 seconds. 

Additionally, through the use of Apple or Android Apps, the transfer of the electronic Bitcoins can be monitored in real time on your smart phone. 

This is an additional step on the road towards Bitcoin being readily available to everyone as the alternative electronic currency of choice. 

Source Article - CNET News

Bitcoin has finally regained some credibility as an alternative currency, since it has again broken the $30.00 barrier; a feat that some thought was impossible. 

For a fledgling currency in it's infancy, Bitcoin has proven to be very resilient. Bitcoin has just regained 98% of it's all time high price (this week) as it has again broken the $30 barrier, not seen since 2011. 

Since Nov 2011, Bitcoin has flirted with downward pressure and dropped in value  until the middle of Nov 2012. However, since Nov 2012, Bitcoin has risen from a stable $10/Bitcoin to a level of $30/Bitcoin. 

The exact reason for the substantial rise in price for Bitcoin is not known. However, the popularity of Bitcoin continues to increase with the new ASIC technology released by some of the vendors.

Additionally, some businesses are now paying their employees in Bitcoins. 
See the article from the Internet Archive (HERE).

The first custom ASIC miner has shipped. A company called AVALON ASIC has successfully created the world's first custom Bitcoin Mining CPU chip. As you can see from the photo above, a significant amount of chips can be installed on a custom circuit board to produce a significant concentration of Bitcoin mining power.

Before you scoff at this as just a waste of time and money, lets present some facts. 


At the current market rate of $21.90 / Bitcoin, this hardware generates a whopping $102,000.00 USD of pure cash flow. See spreadsheet below.

Yes, you read that right, $102k. This all comes from an investment of $1299.00 and a lot of courage to invest in an unproven technology.