The Wall Street Journal has a write-up of the recent spate of investments in Bitcoin-related startups, including recent ventures by Andreessen Horowitz. The article also points to the looming regulation that is expected should Bitcoin continue to grow. Already, one federal agency has weighed in on virtual currencies. While end-users are not regulated by FinCEN, Bitcoin exchanges operating in the U.S. must be registered as money transmitters. This registration is precisely what got those involved in e-gold into trouble in the mid-2000s.
Bitcoin Virtual Currency Start Up Gain New Venture Backers – WSJ.com.