Earlier today, leading theatre ticket agency London Theatre Direct announced that it is accepting bitcoin payments – making it the world’s first.

The agency has tapped BitPay for its processing solution and hopes to accept more alternative currencies in the future. The agency says it is “leading the way” in supporting bitcoin and it is providing some of the best theatre London has to offer in exchange for your hard earned Satoshis.

“Bitcoin is an exciting, experimental, decentralized digital currency that enables instant payments to anyone, anywhere in the world. We want to embrace new methods of accepting payments online,” managing director Francis Hellyer said.

“Although Theatreland is typically a little slower on the uptake of newer technologies, we have been pushing very hard over the past few years to set an example to the industry by experimenting with new technologies.”

Hellyer added that the costs saved by more advanced payment methods like bitcoin can be passed down to consumers, resulting in cheaper and more secure transactions that are mobile-friendly.

The company says it is among the first major UK websites to accept bitcoin as payment and that it is proud to do its part in promoting bitcoin, by allowing Londoners to enjoy their favourite shows for bitcoins.

While London Theatre Direct is a big player in its niche, it is by no means the only bitcoin-friendly merchant in London.

The city currently boasts a bitcoin voucher shop, various bitcoin pubs and a number of companies are acting as middlemen by offering consumers the chance to buy bitcoins and use them to buy tangible goods in thousands of stores that don’t ordinarily accept the currency.

However, the city still does not yet have a bitcoin ATM, but two firms are planning to install a few machines soon.

Theatre image via shutterstock