How and Where to Pay With Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are considered one of the ways of investments, but not everyone knows that they were originally created to make payments anonymously. More and more people are starting to use crypto for everyday purchases, not just as an investment. Many companies and services now accept it as payment. This guide explains in simple terms how crypto payments work and where you can spend your funds.

How Cryptocurrency Payments Work?

To pay with crypto, you first need two things: a crypto wallet and sufficient balance in it. Your crypto wallet is like a regular physical wallet—you store your money in it, only in electronic form. It can also be compared to a banking app, where your account balance is displayed and you can manage your funds. Once your crypto wallet is ready, payments are easy: you just send the correct amount to the seller’s wallet address.

Most payments are done using Bitcoin (BTC) or stablecoins (like USDT or USDC). The latest are popular because their value stays steady, matching the US dollar. If you hold a different kind of crypto, you can easily use a converter tool (often found in your wallet app or on an exchange) to quickly swap it into stablecoins or another crypto before paying.

Warning!

A key difference in crypto is the mandatory network fee ('gas' on some networks). This fee is charged by the network itself to process and secure your payment, and it is always taken directly from the amount you send.

If you are paying P2P (peer-to-peer), discuss in advance whether the commission is included in the price or not. If you are buying something on a website, the payment amount often includes the commission in the invoice.

If the commission payment is on your side, you must include this fee in your total payment. For example, if a shop needs exactly 1.0 Ethereum (ETH) for an item, and the network fee is 0.01 ETH, you must send 1.01 ETH in total. If you only send 1.0 ETH, the person will only get 0.99 ETH because the 0.01 ETH fee will be taken out of the money you sent. Always check the network fee and add it to the price before confirming the transaction.

Diverse Ways to Pay with Crypto

There are four main options for paying with Bitcoin and other crypto: direct transfers, checkouts, crypto debit cards, and gift cards:

1. Direct transfers: This is the simplest way. You send crypto straight from your wallet to another person’s wallet. This type of payment is best suited for small businesses with a small number of orders, for collecting donations, and for payments between two persons.

2. Checkouts: You can pay for goods on a website, but only if the shop has set up a special crypto payment system (a payment gateway). If they have it, you will see a crypto option at the checkout. The system will give you a QR code or address to send the payment to.

3. Crypto debit cards: These cards let you use your crypto balance wherever traditional cards (Visa or Mastercard) are accepted. When you pay, the card provider instantly converts your crypto to fiat money (like dollars or euros) and sends it to the store. Important: these cards must be connected to a funded crypto account or wallet held by the card provider. Without a funded account, the card won't work.

4. Gift cards: Many big stores don't take crypto directly. You can solve this by buying a gift card using your crypto from a specialized service. Once you have the gift card, you can use it just like a normal gift card at the corresponding store to buy goods or services.

A Guide on How to Pay With Cryptocurrencies Using Different Methods

As you can see, there are several ways to pay with Bitcoin and other crypto. Let’s go deeper into the topic to learn how it can be done in each case. Here is a step-by-step algorithm on how crypto payments should be made in each of the methods we explained above.

Direct Transfers

The method means sending funds from your crypto wallet to the recipient's one. Here are the steps of this process:

• Step 1: Ask the recipient for their crypto wallet address or QR code.
• Step 2: Log into your crypto wallet or exchange app and go to the transfers section.
• Step 3: Enter the recipient's wallet address in the special field if you copied it.
• Step 4: Specify the amount of cryptocurrency you want to send and the network. Take into account the commissions charged by the platform for transfers.
• Step 5: Double-check all the details again and confirm the transaction. You and the recipient will receive notifications about the successful transfer. Also you can track the transaction in Blockchain explorer using the transaction hash.

Checkouts

You can also pay for goods at the checkout in some online stores that have integrated a cryptocurrency payment gateway. Remember that not all companies accept cryptocurrency as a payment method. We will present a list of crypto-friendly companies later in this article.

Follow the steps to do everything right when you pay with crypto during checkout:

• Step 1: After assembling your shopping cart, go to the checkout page.
• Step 2: Specify the delivery information and select cryptocurrency as your payment method. Then click on the coin that you plan to pay with (for example, Bitcoin).
• Step 3: The platform will generate a wallet address for payment or provide you with a QR code. Save it.
• Step 4: Log in to your crypto wallet, then go to the transfers section.
• Step 5: Enter the wallet address given to you by the seller in the special field, and specify the amount of crypto for transfer.
• Step 6: Double-check the information and confirm the transaction. Then wait for a confirmation from the seller about the received funds.

As you can see, this method is similar in algorithm to direct transfers. The only difference is the additional platforms involved in the process (such as a crypto payment gateways).

Crypto Debit Card

If you don't have a crypto debit card yet, you need to get one. Paying with it is a simple process if you follow the instructions:

• Step 1: Create an account on your preferred crypto platform. Then, pass the KYC verification, and set up 2FA.
• Step 2: In your personal account, find the section with cards and click on the “Issue card” or “Add” button. Once issued, the card will be ready for use.
• Step 3: Top up your card by transferring funds from a crypto wallet you already have, or by buying the crypto on an exchange. You also may connect your wallet to your card and money will be debited from your wallet automatically as needed.
• Step 4: Pay with your card offline Via Apple Pay or Google Pay, or make online purchases by entering your card details.
• Step 5: Check your card balance regularly and top it up if necessary.

Gift Card

Cryptocurrency payment using gift cards involves purchasing it also with crypto. Therefore, we will take a detailed look at the process of getting a card:

• Step 1: Select a platform that offers the purchase of gift cards with crypto (for example, eGifter).
• Step 2: Create an account on the chosen platform and confirm your email address.
• Step 3: Learn the list of stores and other companies that offer crypto gift cards and select the one you would like to purchase.
• Step 4: Proceed to checkout. Copy the wallet address given to you by the platform.
• Step 5: Go to your wallet and select the transfers page. There, you have to paste the recipient's address, specify the cryptocurrency, and its amount for sending. Then confirm the transaction.
• Step 6: Check your email, the platform will send the gift card code there.
• Step 7: Use your gift card in-store or online by presenting the code to the seller or entering it during checkout.

Pros and Cons of Paying with Cryptocurrency

Before you start using crypto for payments, it's good to know the upsides and the challenges.

Where Is Crypto Accepted as a Payment?

Crypto acceptance is strongest in areas where people value privacy, digital freedom, and fast global payment options. Today, there are more and more such places, including retail stores, well-known supermarket chains, etc.

1. Privacy and Digital Services (VPNs and Hosting): Companies that focus on online privacy often accept crypto to match their customers' desire for financial anonymity.

• VPN providers: Services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Mullvad accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to provide private payments for their users. For example, Mullvad is often chosen as it accepts Monero, a coin designed for high privacy.
• Web hosting: Companies like MonoVM and is* hosting use crypto to provide a payment method that is resistant to censorship, ensuring their customers' websites stay online.

2. E-commerce: Many online shops use special payment systems (plugins) to accept crypto directly at checkout. This method allows for fast, global payments when buying goods online from anywhere in the world. Early adopters in this space include companies like Overstock, Etsy, and Newegg. Major e-commerce platforms like Shopify also let their sellers easily add crypto payment options.

3. Retail: Most major physical stores and mainstream digital retailers, such as Microsoft, Dell, Walmart, and others, accept cryptocurrency as a payment.

4. Travel: For booking flights, hotels, and travel packages, crypto offers significant advantages, especially for international trips. The fast processing times and global nature of crypto payments mean reservations can be confirmed instantly without waiting for slow international bank transfers. Companies like Travala and Expedia were early adopters in this space.

5. Luxury: High-value purchases, such as exclusive goods or vehicles, benefit greatly from crypto's efficiency. When dealing with large sums, the fixed, often low, network fee for a crypto transfer can be much cheaper than the high percentage fees charged by banks for large wire transfers. Tesla has accepted Bitcoin for vehicle purchases, alongside other luxury goods sellers like Hublot and BitDials.

That is not the entire list of companies accepting cryptocurrency as a payment method. The number of organizations is expanding day by day. You can read more about items which is possible to buy with cryptocurrency in our article.

Paying with cryptocurrency is becoming easier thanks to solutions such as payment cards and gift cards, which bridge the gap between digital currency and traditional stores. While there are important details to keep in mind, such as network fees and the inability to reverse payments, the speed, security, and global reach of cryptocurrency make it a powerful alternative to traditional money.

If you still have questions, you can check out the FAQ section below or ask questions in the comments.

FAQ

What Can You Buy with Bitcoin?

Cryptocurrency allows you to purchase any goods and services, including VPN services and hosting providers, large retail companies (e.g., Microsoft and Dell), e-commerce platforms (Overstock, Etsy),travel companies (Travala) and luxury items (including Tesla cars).

Is It Safe to Pay with Bitcoin?

Yes, paying with Bitcoin is considered very safe because it runs on blockchain technology, which uses advanced cryptography to ensure every transaction is secure, permanent, and publicly visible. Many wallets and exchanges also let you turn on extra protection like two-factor authentication to keep your funds safe. At the same time, the safety risk comes down to the user: you must be careful and always check the recipient's address and the correct network before sending money.

Can I Pay Bills with Crypto?

Usually, you cannot pay standard bills (like rent or electricity) directly with crypto because most utility companies only accept traditional fiat money. However, you have two ways to pay bills indirectly:

1. Crypto debit cards: Use your crypto debit card to pay the bill online like with a traditional debit card. The card provider instantly converts your crypto to fiat money for the payment.

2. Specialized services: You can use third-party services that accept your crypto and then send the required fiat currency to the biller for you.