BIRMINGHAM, UK—We don’t know if Birmingham, UK-based Passion VIP is in fact the first escort agency to add bitcoin to its selection of payment options, but they might be. We have not heard of another one. According to an announcement issued yesterday, the agency, which connects clients with escorts all over the Midlands, is hoping the addition of bitcoin will “open up a new market.”

Bitcoin, of course, is a mostly anonymous digital currency that has not yet been corralled by regulators. It is universal and malleable, if not as stable as one would like, and has been linked to trade in exotic (and sometimes illegal) products and substances, so one could see how it might thrive in the escort environment.

"Passion VIP has always been forward thinking,” said the company. “We like to be innovative and offer our clients convenience as well as a top class service. We've found in the past that where we go, other escort agencies follow. We became interested in Bitcoins ourselves a while ago, dabbling in some 'mining'. We felt there were probably a lot of people out there who had Bitcoins and no way to really enjoy spending them. Accepting Bitcoins seemed an obvious extension of our own interest in the currency."

The company also sees it as a learning experience for their customers. "Clients who already hold Bitcoins,” they say,” can use them immediately. Those who aren't familiar with the currency will find information on our website on how to buy and trade in Bitcoins. It's simple to set up and Bitcoins can be purchased with a credit card or bank transfer."

They even provide a link to a bitcoin video.