9 global companies that accept cryptocurrency
Over the past few years, cryptocurrencies have become a top topic of discussion. Not only financiers and crypto popularizers speak about them, but also ordinary people. Tens of thousands of people have started investing in digital currency. However, it could only be traded.
Now, a huge number of companies around the world accept cryptocurrencies as a form of payment for goods and services. There is even a special service for finding stores that accept crypto - Coinmap. There are very few such places in Eastern Europe, but there are plenty of them in Europe, the USA and Latin America. Even major global companies have begun to accept digital money. Let's take a look at 9 of the most striking examples.
Now, a huge number of companies around the world accept cryptocurrencies as a form of payment for goods and services. There is even a special service for finding stores that accept crypto - Coinmap. There are very few such places in Eastern Europe, but there are plenty of them in Europe, the USA and Latin America. Even major global companies have begun to accept digital money. Let's take a look at 9 of the most striking examples.
1. Overstock
This online store first offered the ability to buy goods with cryptocurrencies in 2014. Initially, bitcoin was offered for payment. But after a few years, the company began cooperation with the ShapeShift platform. Therefore, the site has the opportunity to select other cryptocurrencies such as Dash and Monero.
To place an order, you just need to select your preferred cryptocurrency and send your order. Only after that the system will offer to transfer money. This is required by any other operations with digital wallets.
By the way, the ShapeShift system was not chosen by chance. This asset exchange service is considered one of the fastest in the world. It converts currencies and conducts transactions in seconds.
2. AirBaltic
The Latvian national air carrier has shown that it is keeping pace with the times. It has been accepting cryptocurrencies since 2014. Now you can buy air tickets for bitcoins to destinations across the CIS, Europe and the Middle East.
AirBaltic CEO Martina Gauss said the company is one of the ten most innovative carriers in the world. And for good reason, because she followed the trend of payments using cryptocurrencies.
To conduct transactions with BTC, AirBaltic cooperates with the Bitpay service. It converts the crypt into euros at the current exchange rate at the time of purchasing the tickets.
3. Expedia
Expedia's booking service followed AirBaltic. It also began offering bitcoin reservations for tickets and hotels. The service itself does not receive or store cryptocurrency. Like other companies, Crypto Expedia partners with the bitcoin exchange Coinbase. All payments in cryptocurrencies that were received during the day are converted by the system into US dollars. The currency is then credited to Expedia's accounts.
The service itself warns that a reservation paid with a crypt cannot be canceled. According to company representatives, this is due to the principle of the blockchain.
This online store first offered the ability to buy goods with cryptocurrencies in 2014. Initially, bitcoin was offered for payment. But after a few years, the company began cooperation with the ShapeShift platform. Therefore, the site has the opportunity to select other cryptocurrencies such as Dash and Monero.
To place an order, you just need to select your preferred cryptocurrency and send your order. Only after that the system will offer to transfer money. This is required by any other operations with digital wallets.
By the way, the ShapeShift system was not chosen by chance. This asset exchange service is considered one of the fastest in the world. It converts currencies and conducts transactions in seconds.
2. AirBaltic
The Latvian national air carrier has shown that it is keeping pace with the times. It has been accepting cryptocurrencies since 2014. Now you can buy air tickets for bitcoins to destinations across the CIS, Europe and the Middle East.
AirBaltic CEO Martina Gauss said the company is one of the ten most innovative carriers in the world. And for good reason, because she followed the trend of payments using cryptocurrencies.
To conduct transactions with BTC, AirBaltic cooperates with the Bitpay service. It converts the crypt into euros at the current exchange rate at the time of purchasing the tickets.
3. Expedia
Expedia's booking service followed AirBaltic. It also began offering bitcoin reservations for tickets and hotels. The service itself does not receive or store cryptocurrency. Like other companies, Crypto Expedia partners with the bitcoin exchange Coinbase. All payments in cryptocurrencies that were received during the day are converted by the system into US dollars. The currency is then credited to Expedia's accounts.
The service itself warns that a reservation paid with a crypt cannot be canceled. According to company representatives, this is due to the principle of the blockchain.
9 global companies that accept cryptocurrency
4. Subway
One of the leaders in the fast food industry also accepts cryptocurrencies. Subway not only allows bitcoin payments in some countries, but even offers cryptocurrency supporters up to 15% discounts. Most of the food outlets for payment are located in the USA.
In 2017, rumors leaked to the media that Subway would start accepting ETC and Tether. But this remained a rumor as the company did not confirm its plans.
5. KFC
The KFC brand needs no introduction. In 2018, the world famous network started accepting BTC in Canada. This was an important step towards the mass adoption of cryptocurrency.
The KFC restaurant chain in Canada has begun accepting bitcoins as payment for an order. The company has offered a limited-time marketing campaign featuring only one product - the Bitcoin Bucket, which can be viewed on Facebook for the current price.
To take part in the promotion, you need to order a Bitcoin Bucket with home delivery, which will add a few more dollars to the cost. It is proposed to pay for the order through the page of the payment operator BitPay.
Among other things, KFC has prepared a special offer for the creator of bitcoin Satoshi Nakamoto. They promise to give him a free Bitcoin Bucket if he finally reveals his identity. But that never happened.
One of the leaders in the fast food industry also accepts cryptocurrencies. Subway not only allows bitcoin payments in some countries, but even offers cryptocurrency supporters up to 15% discounts. Most of the food outlets for payment are located in the USA.
In 2017, rumors leaked to the media that Subway would start accepting ETC and Tether. But this remained a rumor as the company did not confirm its plans.
5. KFC
The KFC brand needs no introduction. In 2018, the world famous network started accepting BTC in Canada. This was an important step towards the mass adoption of cryptocurrency.
The KFC restaurant chain in Canada has begun accepting bitcoins as payment for an order. The company has offered a limited-time marketing campaign featuring only one product - the Bitcoin Bucket, which can be viewed on Facebook for the current price.
To take part in the promotion, you need to order a Bitcoin Bucket with home delivery, which will add a few more dollars to the cost. It is proposed to pay for the order through the page of the payment operator BitPay.
Among other things, KFC has prepared a special offer for the creator of bitcoin Satoshi Nakamoto. They promise to give him a free Bitcoin Bucket if he finally reveals his identity. But that never happened.
6. PayPal
The PayPal payment system was one of the first to recognize cryptocurrency as a means of payment. The company has added cryptocurrency support to its wallets. It will also soon be possible to make payments via the Venmo mobile app.
Moreover, PayPal is planning to launch its own crypto trading system. The company has already reached an agreement with the American blockchain startup Paxos. Therefore, very soon 325 million PayPal users will be able to buy, sell, store and transfer cryptocurrencies.
7. Shopify
Shopify, like its competitor Overstock, has also started accepting cryptocurrencies as a means of payment. Therefore, anyone can not only create their own online store, but also accept payment for goods in BTC. So far, the service works only with the "bitcoin", but in the future other cryptocurrencies may appear on the list of payment methods.
The site administration warns that bitcoin transactions take longer than regular transfers, but despite this, users are positive about the innovation.
8. Microsoft
In December 2014, Microsoft allowed to pay with bitcoins in the magician azine digital content. This opportunity is very pleased with the fans of games on the Xbox. However, the company also got into scandals related to the ability to buy content with cryptocurrency.
In the same 2014, an unexpected message appeared on the company's website that the use of BTC in the Microsoft account was terminated. A few hours later, the company's management apologized and removed the post, saying it had been posted by mistake.
Something similar happened in January 2018: the ability to make cryptocurrency payments was suspended for several days, but now it functions as usual. It seems that the company is seriously frightened by the volatility of the cue ball, but the IT giant is not yet ready to give up cryptocurrencies.
The PayPal payment system was one of the first to recognize cryptocurrency as a means of payment. The company has added cryptocurrency support to its wallets. It will also soon be possible to make payments via the Venmo mobile app.
Moreover, PayPal is planning to launch its own crypto trading system. The company has already reached an agreement with the American blockchain startup Paxos. Therefore, very soon 325 million PayPal users will be able to buy, sell, store and transfer cryptocurrencies.
7. Shopify
Shopify, like its competitor Overstock, has also started accepting cryptocurrencies as a means of payment. Therefore, anyone can not only create their own online store, but also accept payment for goods in BTC. So far, the service works only with the "bitcoin", but in the future other cryptocurrencies may appear on the list of payment methods.
The site administration warns that bitcoin transactions take longer than regular transfers, but despite this, users are positive about the innovation.
8. Microsoft
In December 2014, Microsoft allowed to pay with bitcoins in the magician azine digital content. This opportunity is very pleased with the fans of games on the Xbox. However, the company also got into scandals related to the ability to buy content with cryptocurrency.
In the same 2014, an unexpected message appeared on the company's website that the use of BTC in the Microsoft account was terminated. A few hours later, the company's management apologized and removed the post, saying it had been posted by mistake.
Something similar happened in January 2018: the ability to make cryptocurrency payments was suspended for several days, but now it functions as usual. It seems that the company is seriously frightened by the volatility of the cue ball, but the IT giant is not yet ready to give up cryptocurrencies.
9. Starbucks
Starbucks has also begun accepting cryptocurrencies for payment at its U.S. coffee shop. This is made possible thanks to the Spedn app. With its help, orders can be paid with bitcoins. The developers of the application assure that it is protected from payment fraud and also helps to reduce operating costs.
The app is also expected to allow users to pay for coffee and other meals at Starbucks using other cryptocurrencies in the future. So, ETC, Bitcoin Cash or Gemini Dollar may appear on the list.
The form of payment is similar to the existing payment systems Apple Pay and Google Pay. The Spedn app generates a one-time QR code on the phone screen, which must be attached to the scanner at the checkout.
It is estimated that by the end of 2019, about 100 stores in the United States will accept cryptocurrency through the Spedn app.
Starbucks has also begun accepting cryptocurrencies for payment at its U.S. coffee shop. This is made possible thanks to the Spedn app. With its help, orders can be paid with bitcoins. The developers of the application assure that it is protected from payment fraud and also helps to reduce operating costs.
The app is also expected to allow users to pay for coffee and other meals at Starbucks using other cryptocurrencies in the future. So, ETC, Bitcoin Cash or Gemini Dollar may appear on the list.
The form of payment is similar to the existing payment systems Apple Pay and Google Pay. The Spedn app generates a one-time QR code on the phone screen, which must be attached to the scanner at the checkout.
It is estimated that by the end of 2019, about 100 stores in the United States will accept cryptocurrency through the Spedn app.
If such large companies supported the spread of cryptocurrencies, then why did others not?
One of the reasons is the instability of the exchange rate. Sometimes the cost of a crypt can change up to a thousand dollars per day. Such leaps can be detrimental to small and medium-sized businesses that are equally interested in cryptocurrencies. In addition, there is an acute issue of the recognition of virtual money at the level of individual states. It costs nothing for the government to declare crypto transfers illegal or impose huge taxes on them.
But it is not all that bad. The number of countries loyal to crypto is growing steadily. In addition, large international organizations have come to the defense of the bitcoin and other coins. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the number of companies accepting cryptocurrencies will grow significantly in the near future. And spending digital currency on something real will be much easier.
One of the reasons is the instability of the exchange rate. Sometimes the cost of a crypt can change up to a thousand dollars per day. Such leaps can be detrimental to small and medium-sized businesses that are equally interested in cryptocurrencies. In addition, there is an acute issue of the recognition of virtual money at the level of individual states. It costs nothing for the government to declare crypto transfers illegal or impose huge taxes on them.
But it is not all that bad. The number of countries loyal to crypto is growing steadily. In addition, large international organizations have come to the defense of the bitcoin and other coins. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the number of companies accepting cryptocurrencies will grow significantly in the near future. And spending digital currency on something real will be much easier.
Report
My comments