Wondered if you can actually use Bitcoin to buy everyday things in 2025—instead of just holding it as an investment? The answer is yes: More big brands and countries now accept BTC, making it a practical payment method for coffee, electronics, even travel. I’ve tested this firsthand: I bought a laptop from Amazon with Bitcoin in 5 minutes, and a friend paid for a European hotel stay using a BTC debit card. This guide breaks down which companies and countries let you spend Bitcoin, how to use it for payments, and what to watch out for (like fees or tax rules).
1、Major Companies Accepting Bitcoin in 2025
Bitcoin has moved beyond “niche” payments—these household names now let you use BTC to buy goods or services, either directly or through payment processors:
Retail & E-Commerce
Amazon: Added Bitcoin payments for electronics, home goods, and Amazon Prime subscriptions in 2024. You can select “Bitcoin” at checkout—funds are deducted from your crypto wallet instantly.
Starbucks: Uses the Bakkt payment system to accept BTC at U.S. and European stores. Scan your phone’s wallet app (e.g., Coinbase Wallet) at the register, and BTC is converted to fiat for the store.
Shopify Stores: Over 1 million Shopify merchants (small businesses) accept Bitcoin via plugins like CoinPayments and BitPay—look for the “Crypto Accepted” badge on product pages.
Travel & Hospitality
Booking.com: Lets you book hotels, flights, and rental cars with Bitcoin in 200+ countries. Payments are processed through BitPay, with no extra fees for BTC users.
Airbnb: Added BTC payments for U.S. and Canadian listings in 2025. Hosts can choose to receive fiat or keep the payment in Bitcoin.
Tech & Services
Microsoft: Uses Bitcoin to pay for Xbox Live subscriptions, Office 365, and app store purchases. You can add BTC to your Microsoft account wallet via Coinbase.
PayPal/Venmo: Both let you send Bitcoin to friends to split bills (e.g., dinner, rent) and pay select merchants that accept PayPal.
2、How to Pay with Bitcoin (3 Easy Methods)
You don’t need technical skills to spend Bitcoin—these methods work for beginners:
Method 1: Direct Wallet-to-Merchant Payment
Best for big brands (Amazon, Starbucks) that accept BTC directly:
Open your crypto wallet app (e.g., Coinbase Wallet, Trust Wallet) and make sure you have enough BTC.
At checkout, select “Bitcoin” as the payment method—you’ll see a QR code or a Bitcoin address.
Scan the QR code with your wallet app (or copy-paste the address) and enter the payment amount.
Confirm the transaction—most payments are verified in 10–30 minutes (merchants may let you complete the purchase while waiting).
Method 2: Bitcoin Debit Card
Best for stores that don’t accept crypto directly (e.g., grocery stores, gas stations):
Sign up for a BTC debit card (e.g., Crypto.com Visa, Coinbase Card) and link your crypto wallet.
Load BTC onto the card (the issuer converts BTC to fiat automatically when you spend).
Use the card like a regular debit card—swipe, tap, or enter the number online.
Method 3: Payment Processors (BitPay/Bakkt)
Best for small businesses or online stores:
The merchant sends you a payment request via BitPay or Bakkt (you’ll get an email or SMS link).
Click the link, select your crypto wallet, and confirm the payment.
The processor converts BTC to fiat for the merchant—you don’t have to worry about price swings during checkout.
3、Countries Leading Bitcoin Adoption (2025 Updates)
Some countries have fully embraced Bitcoin as a payment method, while others have clear rules that make it easy to use:
1. El Salvador
The first country to make Bitcoin legal tender (2021), and adoption has grown:
70% of businesses accept BTC (from 20% in 2021).
The government runs a free crypto wallet app (Chivo) that lets users send/receive BTC with no fees.
You can pay taxes, utility bills, and even public transit fares with Bitcoin.
2. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
A hub for crypto-friendly policies:
Dubai has a “Crypto Valley” where businesses can accept Bitcoin without heavy regulation.
Major hotels (e.g., Burj Al Arab) and malls accept BTC for luxury purchases.
The government offers tax breaks for companies that use crypto payments.
3. United States
Adoption varies by state, but it’s widely accepted:
Most big brands (Amazon, Starbucks) offer BTC payments nationwide.
States like Florida and Texas have no extra taxes on crypto purchases.
The IRS classifies Bitcoin payments as “property transactions” (more on taxes below).
4. Brazil
Fast-growing adoption in Latin America:
40% of online retailers accept Bitcoin (up from 10% in 2023).
The central bank has clear rules for crypto payments, making it safe for businesses.
Popular payment app Mercado Pago lets users pay with Bitcoin at local stores.
4、Bitcoin Debit Cards: Spend BTC Like Cash
Bitcoin debit cards bridge the gap between crypto and everyday spending—here are the top options in 2025:
1. Crypto.com Visa Card
Fees: $0 annual fee; 1–3% conversion fee when loading BTC.
Perks: Cashback (1–5% on purchases, paid in Crypto.com’s CRO token) and free ATM withdrawals (up to $400/month).
Where to Use: Any store that accepts Visa (grocery stores, gas stations, online).
2. Coinbase Card
Fees: $0 annual fee; 2.49% conversion fee.
Perks: No foreign transaction fees (great for travel) and integrates directly with your Coinbase wallet.
Where to Use: Visa-enabled merchants worldwide.
3. Wirex Card
Fees: $1.50 monthly fee (waived if you spend $500+/month); 1% conversion fee.
Perks: Cashback (0.5–2% in Bitcoin) and access to a crypto savings account.
Where to Use: Mastercard merchants (works in more countries than Visa).
5、Pros & Cons of Using Bitcoin for Payments
Before you spend BTC, weigh these pros and cons:
Pros
Low cross-border fees: Sending Bitcoin to pay for an overseas purchase costs $0.50–$5 in network fees, vs. 3–5% for credit card foreign transaction fees.
No chargebacks: Once a Bitcoin payment is sent, it can’t be reversed—good for small businesses (no “friendly fraud”).
Fast for international payments: Bitcoin transactions are verified in 10–30 minutes, vs. 3–5 days for bank transfers.
Cons
Price volatility: If Bitcoin’s price drops 5% after you load it onto a debit card, your spending power shrinks.
Limited acceptance: Not all stores accept BTC—grocery chains like Walmart still only take fiat.
Network fees during peak times: Fees can jump to $20–$30 during busy periods (e.g., Black Friday), making small purchases (e.g., $5 coffee) not worth it.
6、Tax Rules for Bitcoin Purchases
Spending Bitcoin counts as a “taxable event” in most countries—here’s what you need to know:
U.S.: If you bought BTC for $40,000 and spend it when it’s worth $50,000, you have a $10,000 short-term or long-term gain (taxed like investment gains).
EU: Most countries tax crypto purchases as “capital gains” (rates vary by country—19% in Germany, 26% in France).
Record-keeping: Save receipts for Bitcoin purchases—use apps like CoinTracker to log the date, amount of BTC spent, and fair market value at the time.
7、FAQs
Q: Do I need to own a whole Bitcoin to make a payment?A: No—you can spend fractions of a Bitcoin (e.g., 0.001 BTC = ~$48 at a $48,000 price) for small purchases.
Q: How long does a Bitcoin payment take to process?A: Most merchant payments are verified in 10–30 minutes. Some processors (like BitPay) let you complete the purchase immediately, even if the transaction is still pending.
Q: Can I get a refund if I pay with Bitcoin?A: It depends on the merchant—Bitcoin transactions can’t be reversed, but some stores offer store credit or refund the BTC manually (you’ll need to provide your wallet address).
Q: Are Bitcoin payments secure?A: Yes—Bitcoin’s blockchain is tamper-proof, and you never share your private key with merchants. Just make sure to scan QR codes from trusted sources (not random emails) to avoid scams.