Need proof that Bitcoin, the virtual currency, is growing up? South Africa is getting its very own Bitcoin-focused conference, to be hosted in Cape Town in April.

The inaugural Bitcoin Africa Conference will take place at the Atlantic Imbizo Conference and Function Studio at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront on 16 and 17 April.

According to the organisers — a company called Bitcoin Events — experts on Bitcoin from around the world have been invited to share their views on and experience of the opportunities and challenges facing the cryptocurrency.

An area of focus will be how companies in Africa can benefit by adopting Bitcoin. According to the organisers, more than 100 000 businesses worldwide now accept Bitcoin. Microsoft recently announced it was supporting it. A number of South African retailers, including Takealot.com, accept Bitcoin for payment.

Also on the agenda at the conference will be discussions about the use of Bitcoin in emerging versus developed markets; merchant adoption of Bitcoin; the security of the technology; regulatory and compliance issues; and investment opportunities.