Regulators to weigh bitcoin donations in politics

If a conservative political action committee has its way, supporters will be able to donate to federal elections using bitcoins, a relatively new form of virtual currency.

The Conservative Action Fund PAC asked the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to approve rules governing the use of this online form of currency. The move seeks to push the technology envelope for federal regulators who just last year endorsed political donations via text message for the first time. "As bitcoins become a bigger part of the economy, we see a future in this ... particularly among libertarian-minded voters," said Dan Backer, the Conservative Action Fund lawyer who filed the FEC request.