Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin is a payment option at companies such as AT&T (for phone bills, through BitPay) and Namecheap, and PayPal lets users buy, sell, and spend it. Some well-known options have ended, including Starbucks card reloads through Bakkt and donations to Wikipedia.
- Its increasing adoption across industries like gaming, food & travel, and tech services highlights its mainstream appeal.
- Bitcoin integration shows companies’ commitment to providing customers innovative and convenient payment options.
Bitcoin, the original and most well-known cryptocurrency, has firmly established itself as the dominant force in the digital currency market. Its widespread recognition and adoption have led to numerous major companies accepting it as a legitimate form of payment.
From innovative promotions like Base’s OCS Coffee Days, which encouraged on-chain engagement through gamification, to major retailers integrating Bitcoin at checkout, its impact on the mainstream economy is undeniable.
Major Companies Who Accept Bitcoin as Payment
Some of these companies still accept Bitcoin, and some have stopped. Wikipedia no longer takes Bitcoin donations, and the Bakkt and Spedn apps once used to pay at Starbucks, Whole Foods and Home Depot have closed.
PayPal
As a global leader in digital payments, PayPal’s decision to allow users to buy, sell, and spend Bitcoin marked a milestone in the cryptocurrency’s mainstream adoption. This move expanded Bitcoin’s reach to PayPal’s wide user base and merchant network, making it more accessible to everyday consumers. In July 2025, PayPal added Pay with Crypto, which lets US merchants accept Bitcoin and about 100 other cryptocurrencies from wallets such as Coinbase and MetaMask, with payments converted to dollars or PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin.
Related Article: How To Buy Bitcoin with Paypal
Wikipedia
Wikipedia no longer accepts Bitcoin. The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs the encyclopedia, accepted cryptocurrency donations from 2014 but stopped on May 1, 2022, after a community discussion that raised environmental and reputational concerns. Its donation page does not list crypto as an option.
Microsoft
Despite a brief hiatus, Microsoft’s acceptance of Bitcoin for topping up accounts signifies its evolving stance on cryptocurrency. This move demonstrates Microsoft’s recognition of Bitcoin’s growing popularity and potential to become a mainstream payment method.
AT&T
As the first major U.S. mobile carrier to offer Bitcoin as a payment option, AT&T’s decision highlights the growing diversity of industries adopting cryptocurrency. This move also indicates that even traditional industries recognize cryptocurrency’s potential benefits.
Starbucks
Starbucks was one of the partners in the Bakkt app, launched in 2021, which let users convert Bitcoin to reload their Starbucks cards and buy coffee indirectly with crypto. Bakkt closed its consumer app on March 16, 2023, so this option no longer exists.
Whole Foods
In 2019, Whole Foods Market became one of the first major grocery chains where shoppers could pay with Bitcoin, through Flexa’s Spedn app, which worked with the store’s existing mobile payment scanners. Flexa shut down Spedn on March 31, 2026, so check with Flexa or your wallet provider before trying to pay this way.
Home Depot
Home Depot was one of the retailers named when Flexa’s Spedn app launched in 2019, letting customers pay with Bitcoin in stores. Spedn closed on March 31, 2026, so this route is no longer available; check with your wallet provider whether it supports Flexa payments at Home Depot.
Shopify
Shopify’s decision to allow its merchants to accept Bitcoin has empowered online businesses to tap into the growing cryptocurrency market and cater to customers who prefer to pay with digital assets. This move demonstrates Shopify’s commitment to providing its merchants with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the digital age.
Burger King
While the acceptance of Bitcoin at Burger King locations has varied across regions, it signifies the growing interest in cryptocurrency, even within the fast-food industry. This move also showcases Burger King’s willingness to experiment with new technologies and cater to its customers’ evolving preferences.
KFC
KFC Canada’s “Bitcoin Bucket,” a limited-time offer in January 2018 that customers paid for through BitPay, was a unique marketing campaign that generated buzz and increased cryptocurrency awareness. This move demonstrates KFC’s willingness to embrace new trends and engage with its customers innovatively.
Overstock
Overstock’s early adoption of Bitcoin as a payment option solidified its reputation as a pioneer in the e-commerce industry and helped to legitimize cryptocurrency as a practical payment method. This move also showcases Overstock’s commitment to providing its customers with a wide range of payment options and staying ahead of the curve.
Looking at Different Bitcoin Adoption
While major companies like PayPal and Microsoft are making headlines with Bitcoin integration, the cryptocurrency is also gaining traction in various unexpected industries. Here’s a glimpse into this wider adoption:
- Gaming
Twitch, the leading game streaming platform, used to accept Bitcoin as a payment method but removed the option in March 2019.
- Food & Travel
Several businesses, including Pizza Hut in Venezuela, the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Mavericks, Virgin Galactic, and Norwegian Air, have accepted or announced Bitcoin payments at some point, often in a limited way. The Miami Dolphins, for example, took Bitcoin only for 50/50 raffle tickets, so check a company’s current payment options before you rely on them. This shows that cryptocurrency is becoming more popular and accepted in various industries, from food and travel to sports and space exploration.
- Tech & Services
Bitcoin is gaining traction beyond just financial markets. Tech companies like Namecheap (domain registrar) and NewEgg (electronics) accept Bitcoin payments. It’s also used for gift cards (Gyft), online donations (The Internet Archive), and even premium features on anonymous forums (4chan). Bitcoin’s use is expanding in the tech world, whether for business transactions or online communities.
- Workarounds & Emerging Trends
Bitcoin is finding new ways to be used. Purse.io once let people use Bitcoin to shop on Amazon, but it shut down in June 2020. Privacy services and sports clubs are also accepting Bitcoin. AMC Theatres started accepting Bitcoin for online ticket and concession orders in November 2021. These examples show how Bitcoin is becoming more popular in different areas.
The Future of Paying With Bitcoin
The pioneering cryptocurrency has made remarkable growth and gained mainstream acceptance. Its integration into various industries, from major retailers to coffee shops, demonstrates its growing influence.
As more companies recognize Bitcoin’s potential benefits, we can expect to see even wider adoption in the future. This shift towards cryptocurrency can change how we pay, offering greater convenience, security, and financial inclusion.
Check out these related articles.
- Link to:
- 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy Bitcoin
- How to Purchase Crypto Using Apple Pay
- A Quick Guide To Buying Your First Bitcoin
