Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step into the world of crypto by making your first bitcoin purchase. Now comes the magic question: What can you buy with bitcoin? Read on to learn which companies and sectors are accepting bitcoin payments.
Where can I spend my bitcoin?
It’s a common misconception that bitcoin transactions are limited to peer-to-peer (between bitcoin buyers and sellers) or only accepted by a handful of online retailers. That couldn’t be further than the truth! New retailers and service providers are starting to accept bitcoin. We’ll dive into some of those industries, and specific companies, below.
Current bitcoin price
20 things you can buy with bitcoin
The good news is that you can put your bitcoin to use right now by making a purchase in one of many sectors. From typical everyday purchases to big-ticket items to the downright unusual, you can use your bitcoin at many of these types of establishments:
- Video games. If you play video games on a console or PC, you may have noticed that bitcoin is an option to pay for your games, subscriptions, and in-game purchases. This is one of the most common ways that bitcoin is spent every day.
- Gift cards. Getting a present for a special someone? Use your bitcoin to purchase gift cards from select major retailers and from online gift card brokers that accept bitcoin.
- Cashback programs. Select apps and online sites that offer cash back for select purchases will let you redeem your earnings in bitcoin.
- Food. Adventurous franchise owners have made bitcoin payments possible at some of the biggest names in fast food. Independent restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries accept bitcoin as well — a small but not insignificant number will accept bitcoin payments from their customers.
- Donations to a non-profit organization. A growing number of charitable organizations are accepting donations via bitcoin.
- Transportation. Some taxi providers and airlines will accept bitcoin instead of dollars for your reservations.
- Hotels. Some hotel broker websites will allow you to pay for your stay in crypto, including bitcoin.
- Phone bills. Believe it or not, you can pay for your phone bill in bitcoin! Some of the largest mobile phone networks will accept bitcoin as a form of payment.
- Groceries. A small but growing number of small grocers and large supermarket chains alike are opening their registers to bitcoin.
- News subscriptions. Some news websites will allow you to buy a subscription in bitcoin instead of with a debit card or credit card.
- Web domain and hosting services. If you own a website or develop websites, you can pay for hosting space or buy domain names using bitcoin.
- Sporting event tickets. Some sports teams and arenas, such as the Dallas Mavericks, will accept bitcoin to purchase tickets. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is a known and vocal supporter of crypto.
- Casinos. While the rollout and adoption in Las Vegas may not be widespread, it is starting to take hold. Select casinos, such as The D and Golden Gate Casino, accept bitcoin as payment for services.
- Cars. Explore the open road in a brand new vehicle from one of the manufacturers or dealers that accepts crypto as payment.
- Online streaming platforms. You can tip streamers and broadcasters on websites like Twitch in bitcoin.
- Luxury goods. Have your eye on a Rolex? Select luxury goods retailers will let you buy your items with bitcoin.
- Tuition. A very small number of colleges accept bitcoin as a way to pay for college credits.
- Lottery tickets. Even state-run lotteries are getting in on bitcoin. In Minnesota and New Hampshire, you can use bitcoin to buy Powerball tickets. You need a special app to do so, though, so check with your state before heading out to the convenience store.
- Other currencies. You can cash in your bitcoin for other global currencies through the right exchange. Depending on the company, you may also be able to buy gold with your bitcoin.
- A ride to space. This one is definitely more aspirational than practical, but if you’re considering packing your bags for outer space, you can pay for your ticket in bitcoin. Virgin Galactic, the “commercial spaceline” owned by Virgin Atlantic Airways founder Richard Branson, will accept the crypto as payment.
Six examples of companies that accept bitcoin
Now that you know the many ways you can spend your bitcoin, you can head to a company that’s willing to take it. Select retailers have come to this conclusion on their own, while others are part of a larger group that entered into a partnership with payment processing companies so they can transact in bitcoin and other crypto. Some of the most high-profile companies that accept bitcoin as payment include:
Tesla
Perhaps the most famous example of a company that accepts (or at least used to accept bitcoin), car manufacturer Tesla announced in February 2021 that they would begin to accept bitcoin as payment for its products. That decision was reversed a few months later, with CEO Elon Musk. However, the rumors about Tesla and crypto payments continue.
Microsoft
The computing company ended 2014 with an announcement that they would begin to accept bitcoin to purchase select items, making it one of the biggest household names (at the time) to accept the digital currency. The company accepts bitcoin for payment for digital items, such as Xbox games and Windows software.
Newegg
The massive online electronics provider announced as early as 2014 that they would begin to accept digital currency, including bitcoin. The company says that it was among the first, if not the first, online retailer to accept crypto for goods.
Etsy
Hundreds of merchants on the one-of-a-kind, personalized, or handcrafted items will accept bitcoin for their wares. While the company has said that it’s not quite ready for widespread adoption, the willingness of individual sellers and buyers who want to use bitcoin is a positive sign toward more widespread adoption and everyday use.
Home Depot
The home improvement giant accepts bitcoin in its stores. Home Depot made the change in 2019 as part of a larger effort with a payment processing platform that brought several other major retailers into the crypto fold at the same time. Shoppers can use their bitcoin in store just like any other payment method.
Overstock.com
Need to redecorate your home? Pay for those new pillows, side tables, and lamps in bitcoin when you shop on Overstock.com. Although only a small fraction of the company’s sales are paid for in bitcoin, it’s an encouraging sign, both on the retailers’ end and from the consumers’ point of view, that their bitcoin can be used to purchase everyday wares and not just for specialty purchases in tech or big-ticket items like cars.
Start with bitcoin today through Coinme
With bitcoin adoption growing and a number of retailers accepting bitcoin as a payment option, there’s no better time to begin.
Coinme makes it easy. With thousands of kiosks across the United States, you can exchange your cash to bitcoin in just a few simple steps. Download the Coinme app to find the location nearest you.
