5 Ways To Use Your Bitcoin And Other Cryptocurrencies | Cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, is becoming a more popular and practical means to spend money. By making it simpler for Bitcoin investors to become Bitcoin spenders, users can use the digital coin to pay for large purchases, such as a new automobile and modest ones, such as home decor.
Long-term Bitcoin investors have seen the cryptocurrency’s value more than 100-fold in only five years, possibly giving them greater purchasing power. In the not-too-distant future, users may have even more options for spending their digital currency.
For the time being, it is still much easier and faster to pay with a credit card or cash at the store. However, it is feasible to spend Bitcoin; you just need to be mindful of some important points.
How To Use Bitcoin
Bitcoin is best utilized as a digital payment method. The blockchain, like other cryptocurrencies, provides transparency in maintaining a payment ledger, as well as complete control over your transactions and increased anonymity.
Because most businesses do not accept Bitcoin payments directly, you will want a “digital” or “Bitcoin” wallet to keep your balance safely. These Bitcoin wallets, which comprise mobile apps, desktop or web software, and hardware (USB device), allow you to conduct transactions using an alphanumeric code as well as a QR code.
5 Ways Of Spending Cryptocurrency
The popularity of crypto, especially Bitcoin, has made it easier for stores to accept it as a payment option. With that, we have listed the best ways to spend your cryptocurrency.
● Gift Cards
There is no other way better than spending your crypto on gift cards. Gift cards allow you to buy almost every product from reputed stores. It is simple yet effective.
For example, Starbucks is the talk of the town when it comes to coffee. The best thing is that you can exchange your crypto with a Starbucks gift card via a credible exchange, such as Coingate. Then you can use the gift card yourself or give it to your loved one.
● Car Dealerships
Bitcoin is already accepted as payment by several vehicle sellers. The list includes luxury dealers who sell Lamborghinis (a popular choice among Bitcoiners) and sell more practical vehicles such as Subarus. Tesla has become the biggest and most recent brand to join the list of firms that allow you to buy automobiles using cryptocurrencies.
● Technology and Ecommerce Products
Microsoft now accepts Bitcoin solely through its online shop, not its Xbox gaming platform. It also does not accept advertisements promoting cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related items on its website.
Overstock, an eCommerce platform that sells a wide range of products, was among the first sites to take Bitcoin in 2014; its founder, Patrick Byrne, was an early supporter. Many other large and small websites enable you to buy things using bitcoin. Shopify and the Japanese eCommerce behemoth Rakuten are two examples.
● Jewelry and Expensive Watches
Many luxury goods manufacturers and stores have begun to accept bitcoin as payment. BitDials, an online luxury merchant, accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in exchange for Rolex, Patek Philippe, and other high-end timepieces.
Franck Muller, a luxury watchmaker, even created a watch adorned with gold and diamonds and contained a QR code from the bitcoin genesis block.
Other jewelry companies have collaborated with payment processors to enable crypto-based transactions from their stores.
● Insurance
For the most part, the insurance sector has approached Bitcoin with caution. However, things are starting to change. Though life insurance is still prohibited, insurance companies have begun taking bitcoin premium payments for other products in their portfolios.
Metromile, a company that provides a “pay-per-mile” vehicle insurance policy, accepts bitcoin as payment for premiums.
Pitfalls Of Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, are more of an asset than money. They have been significantly valued due to how market players value each cryptocurrency instead of government backup or the value of a commodity, such as gold or silver.
Bitcoin appeals to investors for many reasons, including its decentralized nature of money that a central bank does not govern. It is a wholly digital means to hold value with anonymous and safe transactions.
Cryptocurrency values may change significantly in relatively short periods, making them riskier as investments — and detractors believe that this also makes them less practical as a kind of cash. Consider this year’s surge and how impossible it would be to price something in Bitcoin if its value virtually quadrupled in a couple of months.
Because of Bitcoin’s speculative character and related volatility, experts advise that it should account for no more than 5% of the overall value of your portfolio. Of course, the most significant danger is that you will lose money on your initial investment.
Final Thoughts
It is getting easier to buy things with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as individuals and businesses become used to it. Cryptos will purchase insurance, consumer goods, fancy watches, and event tickets.