New all-girl band set up in Japan to educate people about bitcoin

New all-girl band set up in Japan to educate people about bitcoin

TOKYO- Move over AKB48: Japan has a new all-girl "idol" band - the Virtual Currency Girls - on a mission to educate the public about bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Each of the eight girls in the band, known in Japanese as "Kasotsuka Shojo", plays a character representing a virtual currency such as bitcoin, ethereum or ripple.

Promotional material shows the performers wearing character masks, frilly mini-skirts and "maid" aprons complete with knee-high socks.

The Virtual Currency Girls are due to hold their debut live concert in Tokyo on Friday (Jan 12), according to their management company Cinderella Academy.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em4LhTdnHk0[/embed]

In keeping with the theme, payment for merchandise will be accepted only in virtual currencies.

"We want to promote the idea through entertainment that virtual currencies are not just a tool for speculation but are a wonderful technology that will shape the future," said the group's leader Rara Naruse, 18, in an online statement.

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In their debut song, "The Moon and Virtual Currencies and Me", they warn against fraudulent operators and urge people to make sure of their online security.

The group is tapping into a rich seam in Japan, where bitcoin is recognised as legal tender.

Nearly one-third of global bitcoin transactions in December were denominated in yen, according to specialised website jpbitcoin.com

The group's launch comes on the heels of a recent market frenzy which boosted bitcoin up to nearly US$20,000 (S$26,699) .

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