With bitcoin’s popularity continuing to grow, many online retailers have begun to accept this cryptocurrency for online payments.
Unfortunately, these platforms are still adjusting precisely what this looks like in practice. In the meantime, bitcoin enthusiasts can now purchase vacations, electronics, furniture, and other goods from small businesses online.
And for those businesses that might not accept cryptocurrencies just yet, there are several reliable cryptocurrency exchanges like Crypto Exchange that can be used to make quick transactions for fiat money.
Electronics
Newegg, an electronic retail giant, provides consumers with computer products, laptops, TVs, digital cameras, electronics, phones, and other office supplies. The retailer itself is now accepting Bitcoin payments for the majority of its offerings. To purchase with cryptocurrency, consumers can use the “pay with bitcoin” option if their digital wallet is stored on their computer or use the view address link to execute transactions. Alternatively, cryptocurrency stored on a smartphone can be accessed by scanning a QR code.
Furniture
Based in Utah (United States), Overstock.com has since become a popular choice for online furniture, TV, and laptop sales. To keep up with trends, Overstock became the first online retailer to accept and fully support Bitcoin payments.
Vacations and Other Travel Related Things
Travelers can now book vacations with platforms like CheapAir, a United States-based travel booking site that allows users to pay for flights, car rentals, and other travel services with Bitcoin.
A similar platform available to travelers is bitcoin.travel. bitcoin.travel is also a well-known travel booking website that specializes in cryptocurrency bookings specifically. The site was established back in 2011 and was created with the intent to become the world’s largest bitcoin travel site. The company has since released a comprehensive list of flights and hotels that can be purchased with bitcoin.
Another platform worth checking out is Destinia, which offers many online trips that can be purchased in bitcoin (BTC) or bitcoin cash (BCH). The only vacations that cannot be bought or sold with bitcoin are hotels that require payment at reception and airlines that accept payment exclusively through credit cards. Bitcoin payments can be made in amounts up to EUR 2500.
Goods from Small Businesses
This well-known e-commerce platform allows users to create their own online stores similar to Etsy and eBay. The platform has since enabled a payment method that supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and over 300 other digital currencies. To accept these funds, tenders use an API key that is connected to a cryptocurrency exchange.
Xbox Games (and Computer Software)
Bitcoin can now be used to purchase Xbox store credits for popular games. That said, Microsoft accepting cryptocurrency is not a new concept and has been done since 2014, with only temporary pauses during periods of extreme volatility.
Gold, Silver, and Other Precious Metals
With much uncertainty globally, many look to precious metals as a stable way to store their income and diversify their investments. Now, there are more options than ever to purchase gold and silver, including gold-backed cryptocurrencies, which can be purchased using bitcoin.
Online Streaming Services
Twitch, a platform for online streaming activities, allows streamers to share their gameplay or other events with their fans. To support their favorite streamers, users can purchase subscriptions using bitcoin. For users, this is an excellent option since cryptocurrency supports anonymity, and no names are shared.
Post-Secondary Education
For those interested in post-secondary education, bitcoin is now recognized as an acceptable form of payment. Among the schools that now accept cryptocurrencies are Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Switzerland), Curtin University (Western Australia), King’s College (New York, United States), FPT University (Vietnam), and the European School of Management and Technology (Berlin).
Lucerne shares that the decision to accept bitcoin was due to the research being done in their computer science department. This may foreshadow a trend for other schools in the near future.
Those who have been avidly waiting to use their bitcoin on purchases will be happy to see the growing number of online websites that now accept cryptocurrency. In many cases, if transactions can’t be made with cryptocurrencies directly, they can be made using a third party application. The efforts made by consumers and businesses continue to propel bitcoin usage forward and encourage the continued adoption of cryptocurrency.