The first-ever recorded transaction made with Bitcoins happened in 2010 when Laszlo Hanyecz, a programmer living in Florida, bought two Papa John’s pizzas for 10,000 Bitcoins. At that moment, this was considered an unreasonable bargain due to Bitcoin’s novelty, as the digital asset had just been launched, so exchanging it for something tangible seemed quite unfair. However, Bitcoin has surged by over 100,000% since 2010, making it worth more than two pizza box stacks. Nowadays, you can purchase many things with the digital asset that no one would have ever thought possible – and it’s just fun to shop using your crypto!
The good news is that purchasing items with this cryptocurrency is straightforward. First, you need to set up your crypto wallet and buy bitcoin online through an exchange, and then, you need to research online stores that accept Bitcoin – once you do these things, you’re ready to shop! Below is a list of the things you can purchase using Bitcoin, ranging from daily items to unique services, so keep reading!
Fashion and apparel
The fashion industry has embraced cryptocurrencies, with online apparel stores and high-end fashion brands accepting payments in digital tokens. This provides a new realm of shopping experiences to those in the crypto community, allowing them to use their tokens to shop for luxury clothes and accessories.
For example, the renowned brand Gucci accepts Bitcoin in some stores, offering crypto enthusiasts a top-notch experience in luxury shopping. Similarly, Project Coral, an online platform that offers different brands, accepts crypto payments for accessories and clothing items. Watches are among the most popular products that people buy with Bitcoin, whether an entry-level Tag Heuer or a luxury Rolex, and the luxury watch market is only projected to grow by 2026, reaching a value of more than $33 billion, which translates into a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%.
Gaming and entertainment
The gaming industry has also welcomed cryptocurrencies with open arms, particularly since big players in the industry have accepted them. Windows Store and Microsoft’s Xbox Store enable users to purchase games and other types of entertainment with Bitcoins. You can open your Microsoft account, load it with BTC, and utilize the recharge card to pay for the different things in the store.
Here’s a word of caution, though: since you won’t be able to receive any refunds on the BTC deposit on your account, it’s essential to pay attention to the amount of BTC you recharge. Besides the big players in the industry, a few more enable you to purchase things with BTC, so do your research to see which platforms you are allowed to pay for your game purchases with your digital tokens.
Home appliances
The home appliances industry is increasingly adopting crypto, which can only be great news for crypto enthusiasts looking to revamp their living spaces! The best part is that the options are only growing when it comes to buying things for your home renovation, whether you’re looking for new kitchen appliances or smart home devices.
Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the US, has embraced crypto payments for various home appliances and renovation materials via third-party payment processors. Similarly, Lowe enables its customers to buy various items for home remodeling using their BTC, thus facilitating home projects and upgrades.
Travel and accommodation
Cryptocurrencies are transforming the travel industry, too, offering new ways to plan a trip, with many platforms enabling travel enthusiasts to use BTC and other digital assets when booking their flights and accommodations. For instance, Expedia – one of the largest online travel agencies in the world – allows travelers to pay with BTC for the hotel they want to stay in during their trip. Expedia is known for its reliability when it comes to hotels, and in 2014, it became a pioneer in the early adoption of cryptocurrencies as a payment option.
Another early adopter of crypto payments is CheapAir, which allows travelers to use their tokens to pay for car rentals, flights, and hotels. For travelers who are also crypto enthusiasts, having this option is a dream come true, allowing them to put their tokens to good use as they explore the world.
Health and wellness services
The health and wellness sector has also started to embrace Bitcoin, providing different types of services, including nutritional guidance and personal training, which you can pay for with digital money. For example, GymBase, which is a network of fitness centers, started accepting BTC for personal training sessions, membership fees, and wellness programs.
Similarly, MyFitnessPal, which is mainly a free service that allows users to monitor exercise and diet, offers the option to pay with crypto for premium subscriptions, which come with advanced features and customized fitness guidance.
Online education and courses
The education industry is increasingly embracing BTC as a form of payment for online degrees, courses, and certifications, opening the door to exciting opportunities for lifelong learners worldwide. Udemy, a massive online course provider that enables learners to take courses on all kinds of subjects of their interest, from tech to art, has also implemented cryptocurrency as a form of payment, enhancing the experience of crypto enthusiasts who want to enroll in one of the platform’s courses.
So is Coursera, which partners with organizations and universities globally to provide online degrees and courses. However, not all the offerings on the platform are available by paying with cryptocurrency, so check in advance the supported payment methods for all the different learning programs.
Takeaway
As explored in the blog, there’s a wide range of services and goods you can purchase with Bitcoin—and it’s only expected to grow in the future. This widespread adoption only shows that the world is becoming increasingly open to cryptocurrencies, understanding their role in the mainstream economy and their potential as a viable payment option.
Looking toward the future, the growing adoption of Bitcoin will continue to spur user innovation, resulting in a more inclusive and secure financial system for everyone.
