In 2020, your company is a status symbol if they are daring enough to test the status quo and accept crypto. Whether it is for marketing purposes or to stay up with the times, many companies have benefited by being early adopters. Here is a list of retailers, technology companies, non-profits, sports teams, to gift card services that are currently accepting cryptocurrencies.
We will take a look at the which business are accepting Crypto and which ones plan to in the near future.
Microsoft
Microsoft has been accepting Bitcoin for use in its online Xbox Store since 2014. They temporarily took a pause from accepting it due to the volatility and now again accepting it strictly for Xbox store credits. Bill Gates has commented on Bitcoin many times saying things such as “Bitcoin is better than currency.”
Overstock
Overstock is currently leading the way in the shopping and cryptocurrency field. Overstock goes as far to accept multiple kinds of cryptocurrency, not just bitcoins. Not only is Overstock accepting bitcoin but they are holding it too! Theses are the types of vendors that serve the bitcoin community in the best possible way. They are clearly in it for the long haul and not simply using Bitcoin as a marketing ploy. Just make sure to choose Bitcoin as your payment method during the checkout process. Here is what that will look like: For household goods or furniture, make sure to support overstock.
Newegg
Newegg is a company well known in the cryptocurrency community for purchasing cryptocurrency mining hardware. They sell all sorts of computer hardware on all ends of the spectrum. Recognizing their popularity in the cryptocurrency community, NewEgg started accepting bitcoin for their hardware.
Try Lolli
Lolli lets you get free Bitcoin just by spending money at the store you use every day! You use your credit card, and get paid Bitcoin for free. These stores include major brands like Walmart, Jet, Groupon, Overstock, Godaddy, Macy’s, CVS, and nearly any other websites.
Gift Card Services
Many stores have yet to add support for Bitcoin directly, which is why a few services have stepped in to fill in the gap while we wait for wider adoption. These services essentially take your Bitcoin and turn it into credit with the store of your choice. Coincards and Bitrefill are the biggest.
CoinCards
With Coincards, you can buy gift cards from over 140 merchants using Bitcoin. You can also use CoinCards to pay up your phone cards as well. CoinCards is really handy if the store you want to buy from does not support Bitcoin. With gift card services like CoinCards, nearly everyone accepts Bitcoin. And since CoinCards is the one buying the giftcards, your identity stays hidden, so you can purchase from any of their supported merchants (even in store) without exposing your identity.
Bitrefill
Bitrefill is a service very similar to CoinCards. With Bitrefill, you can buy gift cards from over 750 merchants. Like CoinCards, its handy to use Bitrefill to remain private when shoping online or in person. Bitrefill also accepts lightning payments if you want to experiment with Bitcoin’s latest technology.
Sports Teams
Lots of sports teams are waking up to the Bitcoin revolution and are trying to beat the rest to adoption as a way to stand out from the competition. Mark Cuban, famed Shark Tank investor and owner of the Dallad Mavericks Basketball team is also a staunch Bitcoin Bull. Anyone who attends a game at the Dallas Mavericks stadium can buy anything using Bitcoin as well as tickets to future games on their website.
The Dallas Mavericks have been an outspoken advocate for Bitcoin, opening up opportunities for the team as it starts to accept Bitcoin for ticket sales and merchandise. The Mavericks aren’t the only sports team supporting a cryptocurrency. The Miami Dolphins have also decided to jump in the crypto waters and allow its patrons to buy tickets and food using Bitcoin clone, Litecoin.
This collaboration propels Litecoin in front of an audience of millions of people around the world at a time where adoption of cryptocurrencies continues to gain momentum and the ecosystem is able to support real world use cases in ways previously not possible. We see this as a powerful way to raise awareness and educate people about Litecoin and cryptocurrencies on a tremendous scale.
Big Companies Planning to Accept Bitcoin
Big companies are responding positively towards cryptocurrency. They are looking to explore new payment method for their clients. Below is a list of a few companies planning to support bitcoin.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s largest food chain company with a presence in more than 180 countries. Founded in 1940, the company currently holds a market capitalization of $143 billion. Due to the significant acceptance of digital coins in hotels and other food chains, McDonald’s is planning to support bitcoin.
Wal-Mart
Founded in 1969, Walmart Inc. is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of discount department stores, hypermarkets, and grocery stores. A large client base and a desire for expanding e-commerce exposure are paving the path for the potential acceptance of bitcoin.
Amazon
Does amazon accept bitcoin for payment? Not just yet, but with the majority of mainstream companies accepting cryptocurrencies, the pressure is on Amazon to adapt to changing consumer needs.
British Airways
British Airways recently announced that they are planning to support bitcoin, thanks to its partnership with bitcoin payment processor Bitnet.
Starbucks Corporation
America’s largest coffee company and coffeehouse chain, Starbucks Corporation, is seeking to support bitcoin payment method.
Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale Corporation, which operates a chain of retailers in America, is working with networks to make it possible for clients to pay with bitcoin.
Alibaba.com
Alibaba.com founder Jack Ma loves the idea of digital currencies. He is therefore likely to accept bitcoin for sales and purchases on Alibaba.com.
Transportation Companies Planning to Accept Bitcoin
Like many other areas of the market, transportation companies are planning to accept the new form of medium of exchange. Below is the list of companies planning to support payments in bitcoin.
Lyft
Lyft is an on-demand transportation company based in San Francisco that is currently developing the system to allow its clients to pay in bitcoin.
Uber
Uber Technologies Inc, a peer-to-peer ridesharing, taxi cab, food delivery, bicycle-sharing, and transportation network company headquartered in San Francisco, has operations in 785 metropolitan areas worldwide. Its platforms can be accessed via its websites and mobile apps.
Grab
The Singapore based company, Grab, is providing ride-hailing and logistics services through its mobile app in Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Indonesia. The company is planning to accept bitcoin to expand its digital presence.
In conclusion, the number of people owning cryptocurrency is increasing as shown in the chart below through the increased number of blockchain wallets.
Cryptocurrency payments have the potential of creating a more borderless and globalized economy, as well as fighting financial inequality by bringing fast and secured financial services to people without access to a bank. This is a big win for everyone in online and offline payments.