I'm Adrian Forbes, Founder of TGBEX Limited and also a co-founder of CrypArt Limited.
TGBEX Limited make physical bitcoins, which are offline bitcoin wallets. We engrave public and private keys (generated offline) onto the reverse of specially designed coins (featuring a picture of the world, covered in tiny bitcoin symbols to illustrate the global nature/ potential of bitcoin as a global currency/ asset) and cover the private keys with security holographic stickers. Each coin comes with a booklet explaining bitcoin and physical bitcoins (including instructions on how to check/ redeem the bitcoins online), a certificate of authenticity (signed by two people to confirm all other records of private key have been destroyed, with a QR code corresponding to the wallet public address on the reverse) and come in a protective casing and gift box.
We believe bitcoin has enormous potential both as a global currency and asset. Physical bitcoins are designed as a way of introducing people to bitcoin and we believe they can help bring bitcoin to the mass-market. Most people do not want to spend months learning about bitcoin complexities and then months more learning about security and trust issues.
We set up the company in the Isle of Man after hearing about US regulators shutting down Casascius- we do not sell to the US because of what we consider to be draconian and excessive regulations, but hope to continue to widen bitcoin ownership and awareness throughout the EU (currently) and hopefully beyond soon.
More information can be found at http://www.tgbex.com
CrypArt Limited makes bespoke art prints based on QR codes (normally as bitcoin public keys, so you can have a limited edition picture to match your bitcoin wallet). We take graphic designs from a number of artists and add a bespoke QR code into the picture (some are 'hidden' whilst others form the centrepiece of pictures). The company is currently being dissolved to save unnecessary costs, but will continue under a partnership structure.
More information can be found at http://www.crypart.com
My background is in financial services, as a qualified accountant and investment advisor, I have worked for Deloittes, Linklaters, Fortis, JPMorgan and most recently Citibank.
At Citi I set up and managed a 'Private Equity Services' business (covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa as the Head of Operations) and worked with numerous Country, Product and Global heads of various businesses in all parts of the bank. I left a profitable business with numerous VC, private equity, infrastructure and debt funds as clients.
I walked out after becoming frustrated with the bureacracy and behaviour of a number of the senior management. The entire structure of these banks and the way they operate is flawed and I believe bitcoin is a far more transparent, open and fairer opportunity that the world needs to embrace!
Feel free to Ask me Anything!