Big things are happening at Blockchain.info. In late december, the world’s most popular bitcoin website announced the acquisition of ZeroBlock, an informational app widely used on iPhone and Android devices.
That acquisition was followed by yet another not terribly long ago, when Blockchain.info CEO Nic Cary appeared on television to announced that digital currency trading platform RTBTC would be integrated with the ZeroBlock service.
In the days since, ZeroBlock’s trading platform has not surprisingly received a significant amount of attention.
“I think both the existing users of ZeroBlock and RTBTC were excited to hear about the acquisition,” said ZeroBlock co-founder and director of product at Blockchain to newsBTC. “The new ZeroBlock trading platform is a perfect combination of the two services.”
With the rather ungraceful fall of Mt. Gox, many investors have been looking for a solution they can rely on — and the Blockchain/ZeroBlock names have proved themselves to be dependable in the bitcoinosphere.
But will the users flock?
“We’ve seen a spike in downloads and signups for the free ZeroBlock app, and the trading platform,” Held confirmed.
Certainly, Blockchain and ZeroBlock have high hopes for their trading platform.
“In 6 months we will be the preeminent platform to trade cryptocurrency, and alternative crypto assets such as derivatives, stocks, etc.,” Held added.
That may be so, but with the likes of Coinsetter, Buttercoin, and SecondMarket’s own upcoming trading platform soon to become available, they’ve got some stiff competition. But with their already-popular and trusted name(s), they’ve got a leg up.
You can’t refute the fact that we’ve reached a very interesting point in bitcoin story. Amongst all else that is going on, the time has come for amateur exchanges (we’re looking at you, Gox) to step aside and allow the professionals to take on the job. And these guys are aiming to make a splash.