Today, crypto is used more as a payment for high-value deals, but new digital technologies make it a convenient payment option for all purchases, as it is really easy for companies to add crypto payment options for the services. Wallet-to-wallet transfers are no longer the only option for crypto payment for goods and services as there are crypto processing services, payment by QR-code.
Companies and Industries that accept crypto payments
According to a 2022 Deloitte survey, 75% of retailers intend to start accepting cryptocurrencies by 2025. Here's a list of major companies, grouped by industry, that accept cryptocurrency directly or through partnerships with third-party services.
Travel, entertainment, and tourism
You don't have to pay for your plane or train ticket with fiat. You can pay with Bitcoin. You can also use crypto to book hotel rooms and pay for travel arrangements. You can do this with Bitcoin.Travel, AirBaltic, CheapAir, Expedia, Surf Air, Travel For Coins.
If traveling around our planet is getting boring, you can pay with Bitcoin for Virgin Galactic for the tourists space flights the company wants to launch in 2023.
AMC
AMC movie theaters began accepting cryptocurrency payments for movie tickets in November 2021. Customers can buy movie tickets online using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and Litecoin (LTC) via BitPay.
AMC's management further extended this list to include meme-coins like Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB).
CheapAir
CheapAir, a low-budget airline, has accepted Bitcoin since 2013. To purchase flight tickets, you can use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin and stablecoins like USDC, DAI, and GUSD. You can also use Bitcoin to book hotels via CheapAir.
Twitch
Twitch, an Amazon-owned online streaming service, has led cryptocurrency adoption. They first accepted cryptocurrency in 2014. Despite briefly suspending cryptocurrency payments in 2019, they now accept over a dozen cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin via NOWpayments, a cryptocurrency payment processing service. To pay for Twitch services with cryptocurrency, you must first create a BitPay account.
IT, Internet resources and video services
Many IT companies accept crypto as well.
Shopify
Shopify provides online shops with an opportunity to accept payment in crypto. You can use platforms like Coinbase Commerce, Crypto.com, Strike, BitPay, DePay and OpenNode for buying via crypto on Shopify.
WordPress
One of the world's most popular website builders, allows online shops built on WordPress to accept cryptocurrency payments.
DISH network
DISH customers can pay for monthly subscriptions and buy pay-per-view movies and events using Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. The DISH Network Corporation provides internet services. It has been a driving force behind consumer-focused innovation and value in the pay-TV industry since its inception in 1980.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN — a virtual private network service provider— has accepted cryptocurrency payments since 2014. VPN services are popular among privacy-conscious individuals, so it's no surprise that our list includes ExpressVPN. You can pay with cryptocurrency directly on their website, and they accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, USDC, BUSD, PAX, and GUSD.
AT&T
AT&T was the first major American telecommunications company to accept cryptocurrency payments in 2019. Their customers AT&T can now pay their bills online with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and several other cryptocurrencies. AT&T accepts crypto via BitPay — a Bitcoin payment service provider.
Microsoft
Microsoft accepts cryptocurrency payments for Microsoft Store purchases. This includes Xbox games, music, desktop applications, and much more. Microsoft accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, GUSD, and other cryptocurrencies.
Paypal
PayPal is an online payment system. It facilitates the direct purchase and sale of cryptocurrency. Customers can also use the app to pay with cryptocurrency at merchant websites that accept PayPal. The platform supports Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ethereum.
Retail
Newegg
Newegg is an electronics and computer component retailer that accepts cryptocurrency payments for all its products. Newegg accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, and others.
Amazon
Amazon, the most popular e-market platform, accepts Bitcoin payments via purse.io. To pay in Bitcoin, you need to choose an item on Amazon and put it in a shopping cart on purse.io. Someone who wants to buy Bitcoins, after seeing such a request, pays for your purchase in fiat, all items are sent to you, while Bitcoins are sent to the real buyer.
Overstock
The furniture and home decor business has emerged as an unlikely member of this list. They first accepted cryptocurrency for website purchases in 2014. Customers can pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and other cryptocurrencies by selecting crypto as a payment method during the checkout process.
Balenciaga, Gucci, Tag Heuer are also starting to accept payment in crypto. Cryptocurrency payment will be available not only for online purchases, but also in offline shops with QR codes.
Food and drinks
Starbucks
In 2021, the coffee giant began accepting cryptocurrency as payment. Customers can load their Starbucks digital cards with cash to spend at the coffee shop using Bitcoin and Ethereum. Starbucks took another step into the crypto world when they made their "Odyssey" NFT loyalty program available to select customers.
Burger King, siding with Cryptobuyer in Venezuela, accepts payment in different cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dash, Ethereum and USDT.
Fast-food chain KFC in Canada has been accepting BTC as payment since 2018. All payments are processed through BitPay.
Asia-Pacific branch of Coca-Cola promised in 2020 its Australia and New Zealand crypto payment option.
In mid-June 2020, Coca-Cola and Centrapay signed a partnership agreement for Coca-Cola clients to buy drinks at vending machines with crypto via the Sylo Smart Wallet app. Sylo Smart Wallet can be used to buy drinks from any of Coca-Cola's 2,000 vending machines with special stickers featuring a QR code.
Sports: Dallas Mavericks, Miami Dolphins, Benfica FC
A famous billionaire investor and owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team is a great bitcoin fan, so you can buy anything the team related with Bitcoin. You can even buy tickets to the games on the team's website with BTC.
The Miami Dolphins football team allows their fans to buy food and match tickets with Litecoin.
It's not just American athletes who love crypto. Benfica, Lisbon football team, offers its fans the opportunity to pay with cryptocurrency.
Cars, planes, yachts
Tesla
Tesla started accepting Bitcoin as payment for their EVs in 2021 but quickly discontinued the program. Tesla now accepts Dogecoin — not for car purchases, but certain items in their online store.
Alza
The Czech platform Alza, one of the largest online electronics retailers in Central Europe accepts BTC. Alza offers not only electronics, but also different product categories, including the automobile category. You can buy Tesla electric cars and other automobile products with crypto.
Denison Yachting
The first deal involving yachts and catamarans for Bitcoins was made in 2017. Back then, a Virgin Islands buyer bought a Leopard catamaran from Denison Yachting for BTC. Coinbase acted as an intermediary in the transaction.
SkyCraft
You can even buy your own aircraft using BTC. SkyCraft, aircraft manufacturer, is ready to accept payment for its products in BTC. The SkyCraft SD-1 Minisport is the first aircraft that could be purchased with bitcoins.
Jewelry
You can buy precious metals and jewelry with cryptocurrency. For example, Samer Halimeh New York, a jewelry company, accepts Bitcoin as a payment method.
Or JM Bullion, North America's leading online precious metals shop, sells gold, silver and other precious metals for crypto. USD-stablecoins, BTC, BCH, ETH, DOGE are accepted.
Real estate
Huobi in partnership with Fäm Properties, a real estate agency, is offering property buyers around the world to pay for their purchases in crypto. Huobi is an intermediary for transactions, offering guarantees of transparency and security.
The Brazilian real estate developer Gafisa offers to purchase real estate for BTC. The company wants to attract investment from other countries, and the cryptocurrency helps make real estate deals fast and secure.
Status Property and Gold Ahiskali, Turkish agencies, offer to buy real estate for Bitcoins. Ataberk Estate offers the opportunity to pay for real estate in Turkey with Bitcoins, as well as Bitcoin Gold, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ripple, Ethereum, Tether and Stellar.
Payment systems
Paypal
PayPal is the first payment system to add crypto for transactions. PayPal is an intermediary. The procedure is as follows: the system exchanges crypto for dollars at its internal exchange rate, which already includes the cost of conversion.
US buyers with a PayPal account can use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin to pay for goods or services with Checkout with Crypto. Users can make purchases at more than 29 million outlets on the service. All it takes is a few simple steps:
- Click on "Place an order using PayPal".
- Fill in your PayPal account details and click "Login".
- Select Crypto Review Terms and Conditions and click "I understand".
- View the exchange rate and click "Sell" (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin or Bitcoin Cash) to continue.
Charity
Some charity organizations accept donations in crypto: BitHope, Giftcoin, GiveCrypto, Giveth, Crypto Charity Fund and Helperbit. For the most part, these organizations are aggregator sites. For example, CryptoForCharity offers making crypto donations to one of 55,000 charities. CryptoForCharity, as an intermediary, charges around 5% of the donation amount for its services.
The Red Cross also accepts donations in BTC with cryptocurrency payment service Bitpay.
Others: Badoo, Bitcoin Coffee, Time
Time Magazine
The long-running Time Magazine publication embraced the digital age by accepting cryptocurrency payments for magazine subscriptions. Time has partnered with the Crypto.com exchange to facilitate payments. Crypto.com Pay users can use their cryptocurrency to make payments on Time Magazine's website.
Badoo, a dating platform, accepts crypto payment. Almost all betting sites accept cryptocurrencies.
Moreover, Bitcoin Coffee in the Czech Republic does not accept any fiat money at all. It only accepts cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and Litecoin.
According to some studies, more than two-thirds of cryptocurrency payments are accepted in Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Also, Dash and Dogecoin are becoming increasingly popular.
Cryptocurrency payments via SPEDN
Flexa's SPEDN app is a cryptocurrency payment service. The app allows you to spend cryptocurrency at various businesses that do not normally accept cryptocurrency payments. Flexa has partnered with cryptocurrency exchange Gemini to enable crypto payments across 40,000 merchant locations in 99 different cryptocurrencies.
When you pay with SPEDN, the service instantly converts cryptocurrency to dollars. The store is unaware that you are paying for the transaction with cryptocurrency.
This makes SPEDN an excellent choice for those looking to use cryptocurrency discreetly. To begin, download the SPEDN app from Flexa and create an account. After you've added money to your account, you can use the phone app to generate a scannable QR code for payment.
How to use crypto to pay anywhere
Crypto debit cards issued by companies such as Coinbase are often accepted wherever Visa and Mastercard are accepted. You can also use your cryptocurrency to purchase and redeem gift cards at any retailer.
Businesses can accept cryptocurrency directly or work with a third party to convert cryptocurrency payments into fiat before processing the transaction.
The companies listed above all accept cryptocurrency directly or through a payment-processing service. More businesses here accept cryptocurrency payments. However, you can pay with crypto using a third-party service that converts your cryptocurrency to fiat.
A taxable event occurs if a crypto card converts cryptocurrencies into fiat to complete a purchase. Since you are technically selling your cryptocurrency and purchasing fiat, you may be subject to capital gains tax if your cryptocurrency has appreciated since the date of purchase.
Converting stablecoins such as USDT or USDT into fiat does not result in this tax liability because these stablecoins have the same value as a dollar.
Should You pay with your crypto at online shops and businesses?
Whether or not a merchant accepts cryptocurrency, you can spend it almost anywhere using crypto debit cards, credit cards, and gift cards. It's essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using your cryptocurrency for everyday purchases and decide if it's suitable.
Although cryptocurrency allows for anonymous transactions, remember that many businesses are required by law to verify your identity. While crypto payments are generally well-supported, anonymously spending your crypto may be more difficult.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Cryptocurrency to Pay
When you have a large crypto balance that you want to put to use or when you need a transaction to clear quickly, paying with crypto can be a good option.
However, cryptocurrency payments may result in tax bills, and you may miss out on future price increases.
Pros of paying with cryptocurrency
- Spending in your preferred currency:
Whether you have a lot of Bitcoin, Dogecoin, or Ethereum, it's nice to spend it without first converting it.
- Earn incentives:
Many cryptocurrency debit and credit card providers offer a rewards program to encourage spending. Because traditional banks rarely provide debit card incentives, taking advantage of cashback offers from cryptocurrency companies can be beneficial.
- Immediate payment settlement:
Blockchain transactions are settled much faster than traditional banks. While fiat payments can take days to clear, crypto payments can be processed in minutes.
Cons of crypto payments
- Paying taxes on converted cryptocurrency:
Crypto debit cards and apps like SPEDN enable crypto payments by converting your cryptocurrency to fiat. However, because you are technically selling your crypto assets, this may result in a tax liability. We recommend spending stablecoins at businesses that accept crypto directly (without converting it to fiat).
- Additional charges:
Some companies charge additional fees for cryptocurrency transactions. Also, some cryptocurrency card providers will charge conversion fees when converting your cryptocurrency to fiat.
- You may lose out on profits:
Many cryptocurrency investors anticipate future price gains. History has shown that paying for goods with cryptocurrency can be a bad investment in the long run.
The first Bitcoin transaction was famously used to purchase two pizzas for 10,000 Bitcoins. 1 Bitcoin is now worth USD 27,000 at the time of writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which major companies currently accept cryptocurrency payments?
Several major companies across various industries accept cryptocurrency payments. Some notable examples include Microsoft, AT&T, Tesla, Overstock, and Shopify.
What types of cryptocurrencies are commonly accepted by these companies?
Bitcoin (BTC) is the most widely accepted cryptocurrency among major companies. However, some also accept other popular cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
How can I make a cryptocurrency payment to these companies?
To make a cryptocurrency payment, you'll typically need to select the cryptocurrency payment option on the company's website during the checkout process. They will provide instructions for transferring the required amount from your crypto wallet.
Are there any advantages to using cryptocurrency for payments?
Yes, there are several advantages. Cryptocurrency payments can be faster, especially for international transactions. They can also provide a higher level of privacy and security compared to traditional payment methods.
Are there any disadvantages or risks associated with using cryptocurrency for payments?
Yes, there are risks to consider. Cryptocurrency prices can be highly volatile, meaning the value of your payment may fluctuate. Additionally, not all companies accept crypto, so availability may be limited.
Can I get a refund if I make a purchase using cryptocurrency?
Refund policies for cryptocurrency payments vary by company. It's important to check the company's refund policy before purchasing.
Do I need a special wallet to make cryptocurrency payments?
Yes, you'll need a cryptocurrency wallet to make payments. We recommend using a hardware wallet like Tangem that allows you to control your private keys for added security.
Are there any transaction fees associated with making cryptocurrency payments?
Yes, there may be transaction fees depending on the cryptocurrency you use and the payment processor or wallet you use for the transaction.
Can I earn rewards or cashback for making payments with cryptocurrency?
Some companies or payment platforms offer rewards or cashback for using cryptocurrency as a form of payment. It's advisable to check with the specific company or platform for details.
Are there any tax implications for making payments with cryptocurrency?
Using cryptocurrency for payments may have tax implications, as it could be considered a taxable event. Consult with a tax professional for guidance on reporting crypto transactions.
Conclusion
This article proves that cryptocurrency is no longer a sophisticated part of life, reserved for a select few. Cryptocurrency is part of our daily life and more shops, companies, and platforms accept crypto daily.
You can use Coinmap to study all the places accepting crypto payments. Coinmap is constantly expanding as more and more shops and services around the world use this payment method.
Please note that acceptance of cryptocurrency payments may vary by region and is subject to change. Always check with the specific company for the most up-to-date information on their payment options.