'Dope' Becomes First Movie to Accept Bitcoin For Tickets

The savvy move makes a great deal of sense for the film, which prominently features the benefits of the digital currency in its plot.

Image via Open Road Films

In a striking move of future-minded marketing genius, Open Road Films will be utilizing the digital currency Bitcoin as a self-referential form of payment for Dope tickets. According to The Wrap, Dope's Bitcoin movie is "an apparent first" for a movie studio — hopefully adding renewed mainstream interest in the mining-backed form of currency. Aside from the built-in incentive of Bitcoin fees being up to 3% lower than credit card processing fees, Open Road Films also stands to gain an additional marketing boost given Bitcoin's prominence in the plot of the film.

Open Road is partnering with MovieTickets.com and GoGoin to ease the transaction process, allowing those interested to purchase tickets using Bitcoin starting today. "Bitcoin is an integral part of Dope," says Open Road Chief Marketing Officer Jason Cassidy. "We could not be more excited to bring this unique new opportunity to moviegoers." Though often associated with potentially nefarious activities, the currency still stands as a promising alternative to traditional, regulated forms of payment.

Dope, which effortlessly blends the worth-repeating aspects of 90sfashion with today's ease of tech, opens this Friday. We recently caught up with the film's stars — Shameik Moore and Kiersey Clemons — to talk 90s hip-hop and their post-Dope plans:

 

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