The crisis engulfing Greece has become so severe that some people in the country are turning to virtual currency Bitcoin as a safe haven for their cash, according to a report.
Banks have been closed and capital controls imposed to help stave off a banking collapse in the absence of a fresh rescue deal with creditors.
Small business owners are struggling to keep trading and with headlines warning of a possible haircut on account deposits of between 27% and 55%, some Greeks are looking for alternative ways to manage their cashflow, Aljazeera has reported.
Greeks do not typically use Bitcoin, but with 150 new registrations to use it this week alone, that could be about to change.
One shop owner said: “It’s very new in Greece. But I believe because it’s all around the world and it’s very stable, it may catch on here.”
Greeks will head to the polls this weekend in a referedum set to side its future in Europe.
Greek debt crisis in pictures
The latest poll gave the 'yes' camp - those in favour of more austerity in return for another bailout deal - a slim leader of those who reject reforms demanded by Greece's creditors.
