Over the past few years, people have started to explore the different ways they can use their Bitcoin. From buying a cup of coffee and shopping for clothes, to traveling and buying cars, you’re bound to find companies that accept Bitcoin as payment.
Thanks to the convenience it brings, Bitcoin has the potential to become the preferred mode of payment for a lot of the expenses we usually deal with every day. If you’ve got your hands on some BTC right now and want to try out its real-world applications for yourself, here’s a curated list of businesses and companies who accept Bitcoin as payment.
Car companies
When an anonymous 4chan user posted about his newly purchased Lamborghini, everyone was surprised to learn that he paid for it, in full, with BTC. This has turned Lamborghini sports cars into a symbol for cryptocurrencies, with other dealerships and manufacturers following soon after. Electric car manufacturer Tesla even accepted Bitcoin payments for their vehicles for a while but had to revoke the offer shortly after.
Web hosts
In a rapidly developing industry, web hosts have found that they can cater to more clients if they start accepting Bitcoin as payment.
- Hostinger
- HostWinds
- Gandi
- Directnic
- Unihost
- Cinfu
- QHoster
- EasyDNS
- Porkbun
- HostSailor
- Namesilo
- Netcetera
- Chunkhost
Travel companies
Bitcoin holders might be excited to hear that traveling only using Bitcoin is perfectly possible. In some ways, paying for your travels (and all associated expenses) with BTC might even be better for you.
Airlines
Not wanting to miss out, airlines have joined in as well. Nowadays, it’s become convenient for a lot of people to pay for their airfare via Bitcoin.
Fast-food chains and restaurants
Eating out is becoming a lot more convenient for Bitcoin holders. Restaurants and fast-food chains all around have started accepting Bitcoin payments in some of their locations.
Banks
Despite the contrast between decentralized and centralized finance, some banks have decided to accept Bitcoin deposits and transfers. Some even offer investment packages that include Bitcoin!
- Fidor Bank
- Goldman Sachs
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Worldcore
- Bankera
- Change Bank
Technology companies
Software developers have noticed a growing number of Bitcoin users and are allowing clients to pay for their products and services with BTC.
Nonprofit organizations and charities
Bitcoin is here for philanthropists as well. Nonprofits and other philanthropic organizations have begun opening up their doors to Bitcoin donations. This makes sense since Bitcoin’s blockchain should help with financial transparency and make accounting easier for everyone involved.
- The Water Project
- Internet Archive
- Red Cross
- Save the Children
- United Way
- Code to Inspire
- BitGive
- Heifer International
- Autism Speaks
- Zamzam Water
- Bitcoinforcharity.com
- Built with Bitcoin
- Wikipedia
Theaters
Music and the arts would soon follow as Bitcoin started gaining momentum. The following are theaters and cinemas who accept Bitcoin payments.
- Major Cineplex
- Lionsgate Films
- AMC Theaters
- Cine Multi
- London Theatre Direct
- Regal Cinema
E-commerce websites
As we’ve all seen over the past decade, e-commerce has taken off quite well. These days, most (if not all) of the things we need can be found online. To help boost that convenience, the following e-commerce websites have started accepting Bitcoin payments.
Auction sites
Auction sites are still a popular place for people looking for a variety of things, from common commodities to valuable pieces of art. In either case, transacting with Bitcoin should come in handy.
- Reddit BitMarket
- Bitify
- Tripleclicks
- Ubid
- Bitcoin Trading Forum Auctions
- Sotheby’s
Video games
Video games have evolved drastically over the past few years, with some even allowing players to earn Bitcoin just by playing them. That said, a few companies have decided to accept Bitcoin payments to widen their reach and cater to the growing population of Bitcoin users.
- Xbox
- Zynga
- PlayStation Network
- Big Fish Games
- Green Man Gaming
- Playasia
- Nintendo (via eShop Digital Gift card)
- Valve (via Steam Wallet Gift card)
- Bspin Bitcoin Casino
- League of Legends/Valorant (via Riot Points)
Brokers
This one is meant for the traders. Finding a foreign exchange broker that lets you pay for your trades with Bitcoin used to be a little challenging. These days, they see the potential of BTC and are trying to take advantage of its current popularity and growth.
- FX Choice
- Finpro Trading
- InstaForex
- Turnkey Forex
Virtual Private Networks
Virtual private networks, or VPNs, seem to be a necessity these days, with personal security and privacy a growing concern. From bypassing geo-blockers to preventing identity theft, users have turned to VPNs to give them that extra layer of security. Paying for this service with Bitcoin only increases those benefits.
- Nord VPN
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost
- AirVPN
- Bullet VPN
- Private Internet Access
Music stores
Accepting Bitcoin payments for music sales is one way of combining the worlds of Bitcoin and entertainment.
- EMWiRES Bitcoin Shop
- Dark Ambient Radio
- Long Player
- Tradebit
- Bittunes
- iTunes
- Spotify (via gift cards)
Vacation rentals
While others may have only seen Bitcoin as an investment tool, some travel companies have taken it upon themselves to show people what they can do with their BTC. Your airfare, accommodation, and even your snacks at the airport can be paid for with Bitcoin.
- Caribound
- VisionApartments
- Vacation Rental Las Vegas
- Ocean Reef Resorts
- Stayawhile
- City Stables
- Airbnb
Online Companies
The first commercial adopters of blockchain were online businesses who accepted Bitcoin payments and opened their doors to Bitcoin holders. With a single move, these online companies liven up online shopping—convenience and accessibility, all in one go.
Electronic Shops
- Avalancha
- NewEgg
- TigerDirect
- Overstock
- e4btc
- Eyeboot
- FastTech
- Bic Camera
Escrow Companies
- My Bits Escrow Services
- BTCrow
- IBC Group
- Coin Payments
Vape Stores
- Vape Dojo
- 8BitVape
- Black Forest Vapes
- E-Liquid UK Store
- Fog On The Tyne
- StealthVape
- Vape and Juice
Shopping Stores
Holiday Companies
- Expedia
- Berkeley Travel
- Bitcoin.Travel
- eTravelSmart
- Flyhi.fi
- Surf air
- 9flats.com
Software
- Gyazo
- The House of Nakamoto
- Mediabistro Inc.
- MindMeister Mind
Why use Bitcoin to buy things?
One of Bitcoin’s main goals is to provide people with better access to their money. This means fewer barriers to entry, at least when compared to traditional financial systems. It all ties into Bitcoin’s goal of empowering the people—by focusing on people, the market simply becomes a platform for all users to transact on. Plus, there’s always the chance to get discounts and special offers when you transact with Bitcoin.
Transactions are made faster thanks to the Lightning Network
The Lightning Network is a Layer 2 solution built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain network, providing users with a quicker way of paying for goods and services with BTC. The Lightning Network has made it cheaper and faster for people to transact with Bitcoin, so much so that even busy cafes are able to accept Bitcoin payments for a cup of coffee.
A few examples of local businesses that accept Bitcoin Lightning transactions are:
Using Bitcoin as it was meant to be used
As Bitcoin and cryptocurrency adoption increases, the possibility of it becoming a part of our everyday lives in the years to come cannot be denied. This only goes to show that it’s not too late to start buying Bitcoin.
This is where platforms like Paxful come in handy. With the free wallet upon registration and seamless peer-to-peer trading, users can easily get started with their Bitcoin journey. Buy, sell, and hold your BTC all in one place!
So what are you waiting for? Buy your bitcoin and get started.
