The Sacramento Kings, a U.S. professional basketball team, said it has become the first professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin. Fans will be able to buy merchandise and tickets with Bitcoin, processing their purchases through Bitcoin payment service provider BitPay, according to a news release.

The National Basketball Association team has begun accepting Bitcoins in the Kings Team Store, and will offer fans the ability to pay online for team merchandise and tickets by March 1, 2014, according to a press release.

In other Bitcoin news, eBay U.K. is to allow Bitcoins to be listed in a virtual currency section within its classified ads pages, according to Mashable. From Feb. 10, users will be able to list their virtual currencies for sale on eBay U.K. classified ads. However, actual transactions will have to take place outside of eBay and Bitcoin will not be accepted for eBay purchases.

"To promote a trustworthy marketplace and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, eBay is currently updating its Currency Policy," an eBay spokesperson told Mashable in an email. "The updated policy will clarify that listings for Bitcoin and other similar virtual currencies must be listed in the Virtual Currency Category in the Classified Ad format."

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