Source: Paralelni Polis

While the Japanese are waiting for their crypto bar, Europe is a step or two ahead. Prague and Vienna already boast their crypto getaways in the form of a cafe and a shop, respectively.

First, let's visit Prague

Paralelni Polis is the name of the cafe in Prague, home to all things crypto.

Source: Paralelni Polis

Located in a three-story building devoted to cryptocurrencies and blockchain, the third floor is called Institute of Cryptoanarchy. According to their website, the aim of the institute is "to make available tools for unlimited dissemination of information on the Internet and encouraging a parallel decentralized economy, crypto currencies and other conditions for the development of a free society in the 21st century."

Source: Paralelni Polis

The second floor is Paper Hub, a co-working space for blockchain projects, where every member has the possibility to use, according to the extent of their subscription - and the fees are paid in Bitcoin!

Source: Paralelni Polis

On the first floor is their own Bitcoin cafe, where you can purchase coffee and sweets using either Monero, Dash, Litecoin or Bitcoin.

Source: Paralelni Polis

“This is a huge first step in our society to driving crypto truly mainstream,” one of their volunteers told us in an email, adding that, “volunteers there already have chips implanted to pay with crypto.”

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Now, let's move to Vienna

Vienna is not to be outdone. The House of Nakamoto was opened in March 2017, and has a Bitcoin ATM, as well as hardware wallets from Ledger and books to purchase.

Photographer: Vilma Venckutonytė

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Photographer: Vilma Venckutonytė

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Photographer: Vilma Venckutonytė

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Photographer: Vilma Venckutonytė

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Photographer: Vilma Venckutonytė

For newbies, the store offers a “starter kit” with an introducing booklet, a hardware wallet and a gift card for Bitcoin worth EUR 15. You can also buy gift cards for a certain amount of euros.

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Crypto is slowly leaking into the mainstream through more familiar routes. While a lot of people may be scared of it because it’s “an IT thing” that they don’t really understand, being physically close to things remind them of crypto may ease those fears. Even if it doesn’t, at least you can add another destination to your next vacation in Prague or Vienna!