It’s likely that online gambling has played a part. As we’ve reported earlier this year, one Bitcoin-based site took in $500,000 in profit in just six months in 2012—and Bitcoin gambling is set to get even bigger. For now, gambling with the cryptocurrency, like using Bitcoins in general, remains in a legal grey area (which may be part of the appeal as well).
Still, it’s been slowly gaining legitimacy in the marketplace, with groups like the Internet Archive and WordPress accepting donations and payment in the currency.
Source: ARS Technica