Bitcoin executive Charlie Shrem is accused of money laundering

Past the basics, all money is make-believe. We turn paper dollars into grilled steaks when both trust the United States government. That makes Bitcoin the latest sign that its tech elite believers want something beyond the old 

He was one of the subjects featured in a Businesweek piece on Bitcoin millionaires, and served as a vice chairman at the Bitcoin foundation. But BitInstant was a curious business. It allowed users to mysteriously purchase 

The Justice Department has formally charged the CEO of Bitcoin exchange Bitinstant.com with running an illegal wire service, and according to reports by the New York Post's Kaja Whitehouse, he's just been arrested at JFK.

Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) — Two men tied to the illicit online market Silk Road, including Bitcoin Foundation Vice Chairman Charlie Shrem, were charged by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara today in a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court. Trish Regan reports

The Justice Department has formally charged the CEO of Bitcoin exchange Bitinstant.com with running an illegal wire service, and according to reports by the New York Post's Kaja Whitehouse, he's just been arrested at JFK.