Bitcoin, a secure encrypted digital currency, is not supervised by any central bank in the world. Like hard currency “gold”, it can be traded without borders around the world. At the same time, it is limited like gold, and the inflation rate is very low. These characteristics make it more and more mainstream currency.
Globally, many places can already support Bitcoin for the purchase of physical products. Here are some concrete examples:
In the United States, many retailers can buy products with Bitcoin. It can also be purchased with bitcoin at chain stores such as Vons, Albertsons and Safeway. Bitcoin can also be used in all aspects of life:
- Buy a gift: If you want to buy a gift using Bitcoin, the most obvious solution is a gift card through Gyft or eGifter. The recipient will then be able to use the gift card at one of the many retailers.
- Travel: You can pay for flights and hotels with Bitcoin through Expedia, CheapAir, and Surf Air. If you have higher ambitions, you can pay for space travel through some huge Virgin Galactic properties.
- Games and Art: Microsoft accepts Bitcoin in its app store, where you can download movies, games, and app-based services. Some musicians (Bjork, Imogen Heep) will let you download their music in exchange for cryptocurrency.
- Renovation: Back in 2014, Overstock was one of the first major retailers to start accepting Bitcoin, and its founder Patrick Byrne remains one of the technology’s most active proponents.
- Buy gold: Sharps Pixley, APMEX and JM Bullion, DigixGlobao, Metex Exchange and other places can trade gold, and the gold will be sent to you physically or stored in a local vault.
- Food: PizzaforCoins will deliver pizza to your door (depending on where you live) in exchange for Bitcoin.
Education: Some private and public universities and several kindergartens in New York accept Bitcoin for payment.
Legal: Some legal and accounting firms also accept payment in cryptocurrencies for their services. - Charity: Of course, you can always find happiness by donating yourself to one of the charities or crowdfunding sites that accept Bitcoin, such as BitHope, BitGive, or Fidelity Charitable.
As early as 2013, the bakery “Paris Baguette” at the City Hall Station in Incheon, South Korea, had a sign to accept bitcoin payments. The store’s prices are displayed via a currency exchange app provided by Mt.Gox, the world’s largest bitcoin exchange, and customers deposit bitcoin-based payments into the store owner’s smartphone account.
Japan is the first country to become a virtual currency such as Bitcoin. In Ginza, Tokyo, you can find many brick-and-mortar merchants that support Bitcoin transactions to purchase products.
IGA, a large supermarket chain in Australia, has begun to accept digital cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to purchase products. In fact, the amount of digital currency payments in Australia has been hitting new highs. That is to say, everyone who goes to an ordinary supermarket can also use cryptocurrencies to purchase products.
Real estate developers in Dubai have also started accepting bitcoin payments a few years ago, with a British billionaire reportedly partnering to launch a £250 million residential and commercial real estate development in Dubai. Of these, 653 apartments can accept bitcoin as payment.
