Your Complete Guide to What You Can Buy with Crypto: Shopping in 2026

The question “what can you buy with crypto?” has evolved dramatically since Bitcoin’s early days. What once seemed niche and experimental is now becoming mainstream reality. While cryptocurrency remains volatile and adoption faces hurdles, the landscape has shifted considerably. Industry surveys indicate that over three-quarters of major corporations are investigating crypto payment integration, with many already offering digital asset checkout options. This guide walks you through the expanding universe of crypto purchases, showing you exactly where and how to spend your digital assets today.

From Pizza to Everyday Purchases: The Evolution of Crypto Commerce

When programmer Laszlo Hanyecz purchased two large Papa John’s pizzas for 10,000 Bitcoin on May 22, 2010, he inadvertently sparked a movement. The transaction didn’t happen directly with Papa John’s—the company didn’t accept crypto then and still doesn’t today—but rather through a peer-to-peer arrangement on a forum. That exchange gave birth to “Bitcoin Pizza Day,” an annual celebration among the crypto community every May 22nd.

Fast forward to today, and the range of what you can purchase with digital assets has expanded exponentially. The food and beverage sector, which started this journey, has evolved considerably. Starbucks now enables customers to use crypto to purchase or reload gift cards. Fast-casual chains including Chipotle, McDonald’s, and Subway are rolling out crypto payment options in select markets. For grocery shopping, retailers like Whole Foods, Pick n Pay, and others have integrated cryptocurrency payment solutions, making it possible to pay for everyday items with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other supported tokens.

Industries Leading the Crypto Payment Revolution

The acceptance of cryptocurrency extends far beyond simple food purchases. Here’s where you can currently spend your digital assets:

E-Commerce and Retail

Online shopping became an early adopter of crypto payments. Pioneering platforms like Overstock.com and Newegg.com began accepting Bitcoin as early as 2014, and both continue this practice today. Microsoft made headlines in 2014 by becoming one of the first tech giants to accept BTC on its Microsoft Store. Shopify has simplified the process for customers by integrating cryptocurrency payments across its e-commerce ecosystem.

For major retailers like Amazon that don’t directly accept crypto, workarounds exist. Third-party platforms such as BitPay and Bitrefill allow you to convert your digital assets into gift cards for hundreds of retailers, including Amazon. Tokyo-based cashback platform Rakuten similarly provides cryptocurrency payment options through its partner network.

Digital Entertainment and Gaming

The gaming sector represents one of the fastest-growing areas for cryptocurrency adoption. With blockchain-based gaming commanding significant market share within the broader gaming industry, decentralized games have become mainstream attractions for crypto users.

Companies like GameStop and Twitch are embracing digital asset payments, while major studios including Square Enix and Sony are investing heavily in Web3 applications. Beyond traditional gaming companies, blockchain-based games operate their own thriving economies. In Axie Infinity, players collect unique NFTs representing creatures called Axies, which they battle, level up, and use to earn crypto rewards like Smooth Love Potion tokens. Metaverse platforms such as Decentraland and The Sandbox similarly use crypto tokens for in-game transactions and NFTs to represent ownership of virtual property, items, and characters.

Fashion, Luxury Goods, and Collectibles

The luxury sector has been surprisingly receptive to Web3 innovation. Several prestigious brands now accept cryptocurrency payments, including LVMH, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, PacSun, TAG Heuer, Farfetch, and Jomashop. This extends to physical precious metals as well—dealers like JM Bullion accept cryptocurrency for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium purchases.

Services and Utilities

Beyond physical goods, certain service sectors have adopted crypto. Major telecommunications providers like AT&T and DishTV allow customers to pay bills with digital assets. In select jurisdictions, some local governments accept cryptocurrency for tax payments, though this remains uncommon globally. A few nations have even recognized Bitcoin as legal tender.

Can You Buy Major Purchases Like Cars with Crypto?

During the 2021 bull market, Elon Musk drew significant media attention when Tesla began accepting Bitcoin for vehicle purchases. However, environmental concerns led to the suspension of BTC payments for cars. Today, Tesla accepts Dogecoin for apparel purchases but has moved away from using crypto for vehicle transactions.

Despite Tesla’s retreat, the auto industry hasn’t abandoned crypto entirely. Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, an Ohio-based dealership network with 23 locations, actively accepts cryptocurrency payments. In 2022, they completed the first successful crypto-funded Mercedes-Benz purchase, demonstrating that high-value transactions using digital assets are becoming possible, even if not yet commonplace.

How to Spend Your Cryptocurrency: Your Payment Options

When a business accepts direct cryptocurrency payments, the process is straightforward. You’ll need a self-custodial crypto wallet and the merchant’s wallet address. Most Bitcoin-friendly retailers display a QR code representing their receiving address. Here’s the typical workflow:

• Open your cryptocurrency wallet and select the coin the merchant accepts
• Choose Send or Withdraw
• Enter the amount you wish to send and scan the merchant’s QR code
• Review the transaction details and confirm

When Direct Payment Isn’t Available

If a retailer doesn’t accept direct cryptocurrency transfers, several alternatives exist:

Gift Card Conversion: Use platforms like BitPay or Bitrefill to exchange your crypto holdings for gift cards from thousands of retailers and services.

Payment Apps with Crypto-to-Fiat Conversion: Services including PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp offer built-in conversion capabilities. You send payment in cryptocurrency while the merchant receives funds in their local currency—a win-win arrangement.

Crypto Debit Cards: Crypto-friendly exchanges like Coinbase and Crypto.com provide debit cards linked to your exchange account. These function like standard Visa or Mastercard products but draw from your crypto portfolio rather than a bank account. The exchange handles the conversion, so merchants receive traditional currency.

Shopping with Crypto in 2026: What You Should Know

Advantages

• Global accessibility without traditional banking requirements
• Lower fees on certain transactions compared to credit card processing
• Faster settlement for merchants and reduced chargeback risk
• Growing mainstream acceptance across major brands

Considerations

Price volatility remains a factor—crypto values fluctuate significantly, which can affect your purchasing power. Transactions are generally irreversible, meaning errors can’t be easily corrected. Tax implications vary by jurisdiction, and you should document your purchases for compliance. Finally, choosing between direct payment, gift card conversion, and debit card methods depends on your priorities regarding speed, anonymity, and convenience.

The landscape of cryptocurrency commerce continues evolving rapidly. While you can’t yet buy everything with digital assets, the range of available purchases has expanded dramatically from those symbolic Bitcoin pizzas. Whether you’re shopping for everyday groceries, high-end fashion, virtual property, or even vehicles, opportunities increasingly exist to spend your crypto holdings at legitimate retailers and platforms worldwide.