One from the vaults.
In April last year I posted on the origins of Mt Gox - the Bitcoin exchange.
To celebrate the collapse of Mt Gox I have decided to reprint the post:
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MtGox.com is a main exchange for bitcoin. I am not inherently opposed to bitcoin as a small and interesting speculation (though I would not do it for my clients). I think Bitcoin probably goes to zero - but only probably...
If you want to understand Bitcoin the best explanation I have found is on the self-evident blog...
However it is the history of MtGox - that amuses me...
MtGox started as an exchange for trading cards in a fantasy role playing game. It stands for Magic The Gathering Online Exchange.
But between trading playing cards and trading encrypted tokens certified with a file-shared registry it distributed an online game called "The Far Wilds". Archive.org preserves some of the website:
 

The Far Wilds is a unique turn based strategy game. Configure an army and fight on a random battlefield. 

Battles are dynamic. You must adapt your strategy to different battlefields conditions and opponents.... 

The Celestial Imperium moves out toward the northern wastes to respond to the rising tide of the Hordes of Chaos. Disciplined and Powerful Psions wield their minds against twisted Mutants. Priests and Paladins of Xosa battle with Demons and armies of Orcs across the wilderness of the Borderlands.

John