If the news in late July that BitPay sponsoring Georgia Tech athletic programs wasn’t the biggest indicator today’s story was bound to happen, we don’t know what would be.
The word this morning is that the Georgia Institute of Technology is going to become the one of the first (if not the) university in the world to integrate bitcoin payments not only into their stadium concession sales, but also to student dining and shopping.
It’s coming together in a partnership with — you guessed it — Atlanta-based BitPay.
Here’s what’s going to happen:
Bitcoin point-of-sale devices are going to be installed in a number of locations, such as the student section of the Bobby Dodd Stadium (where athletic events take place, obviously), and even at a Barnes & Noble store in ‘Tech Square’ (the school’s official bookstore). Today’s announcement says that students will be able to purchase food and other items “at almost all locations” on the campus.
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“We look forward to working with BitPay to make bitcoin a viable payment option for our students and fans,” said Georgia Tech AD Mike Bobinski. “At Georgia Tech, we are always looking to lead in innovative ways, and this partnership with BitPay gives us an opportunity to do so by integrating this new technology at a sports venue and in the daily lives of our students.”
“Georgia Tech is one of the best sources of innovation in the country,” added Tony Gallippi, BitPay Executive Chairmain. “BitPay is proud to offer its own innovative bitcoin payment processing to the university and its students.”
As mentioned previously, BitPay announced earlier this year they are sponsoring Georgia Tech athletic programs. BitPay also have another major sponsorship going on in Florida, sponsoring the St. Petersburg Bowl game for three year, which is played in December annually. The game airs on ESPN.