Bitcoin is the first and most important cryptocurrency created. It provides the security and payment opportunities that most banks lack and, simultaneously, allows people who dont have the convenience of using the services of such financial institutions. China, for example, is the country with the most people without a bank account. And although China is among the countries that use Bitcoin the most, since it has no clear regulations, it has banned related transactions. Other areas, like Venezuela, struggle with their fiat currency, which is why theyve accepted bitcoin more recently.
There are still challenges for this cryptocurrency. But the BTC price remains steady, and the network is one of the best choices for businesses that want to expand their transactional resources. Some companies have already started accepting bitcoin as a payment method. From that point, many other significant organizations followed the trend, which is why well discuss some of them in the following paragraphs.
Microsoft
Microsoft, the biggest software manufacturing company, started accepting bitcoin payments as far back as 2014, only five years after the cryptocurrencys market release. The organization partnered with BitPay, a known bitcoin payment service. The collaboration allowed customers to buy apps and games for Windows Phone, Xbox and even their Windows operating system. Microsofts purpose was to give users more options for doing more on their devices and the cloud.
But thats not the only thing Microsoft adopted. The company also started experimenting with blockchain technology as it launched its first blockchain product in 2015 called Azure Blockchain Service, which would allow building applications in the network without managing infrastructure. Although the project was closed due to low offer interest, Windows is still testing new blockchain solutions.
Burger King
The internationally successful Burger King restaurant had the first cryptocurrency test back in 2017 when the Russian subdivision of the company issued the WhooperCoin tokens in the Waves blockchain that would be offered to customers at every purchase. Although the project failed, other Burger King branches started to accept Bitcoin payments, such as in the Netherlands, Germany, Venezuela, Brazil and more.
Nowadays, you can buy Whoppers with Bitcoin through virtual debit cards. Lately, Burger King started to partner up with Cryptobuyer, another cryptocurrency payment processor through which the company now accepts six different cryptocurrencies in Venezuela, such as Ethereum, Litecoin and Dash.
KFC
Another important business in the fast-food industry, KFC, started accepting bitcoin as payment back in 2018. It all started in KFC Canada, where customers could pay, for a limited time, for the Bitcoin fried chicken bucket that would cost a little over $27. The buckets were delivered directly to peoples home addresses, while the transactions were processed through BitPay.
However, its not clear at the moment if the giant company still accepts bitcoin as an optional payment form, but other Yum! Brands, Inc. businesses, such as Pizza Hut, allow bitcoin payments, but only in some regions, Like Venezuela, where the Venezuelan bolivar lost almost all value.
Twitch
Twitch has become one of the best and most used streaming platforms, especially around the pandemic. As owners saw the potential in this organization, they allowed cryptocurrency transactions via BitPay, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to Dogecoin and Litecoin.
This method is beneficial for streamers since they can accept crypto donations and support their channel. By including crypto donations, streamers address a larger audience, provide multiple options for people with different types of coins, and have the opportunity to invest or liquidate these coins. Accepting crypto transfers is done through NOWPayments, and users can generate a crypto donation link to share it with their audience.
Norwegian AIR
Norwegian AIR is a major low-cost airline from Norway that plans to offer Bitcoin payments. They have already set up a crypto exchange plan so that customers can purchase tickets through their payment infrastructure. However, since the company faced issues after extensive cost cuts, the bitcoin payment option might take some time to develop fully.
The business has created a Norwegian Block Exchange (NBX) that would roll out exchanges in other countries. The platform was planned to integrate the companys existing rewards program so that customers could earn points by trading on the exchange. With these points, clients can swap for a discount on tickets.
Express VPN
Express VPN is known as the best online security and data protection services on the market at the moment. Its also one of the few companies clearly stating their bitcoin payment option. Customers only need to provide their email addresses to sign up for these transactions without other essential information. The company allows for bitcoin transactions through BitPay, but other electronic wallets are also accepted.
Express VPN also proves an array of cryptocurrencies people can pay with, such as Ethereum, XRP, USDC, PAX AND GUSD stablecoins. The company has already been accepting bitcoin payments since 2014, but it is constantly expanding its payment area and developing its user privacy statements.
Starbucks
Finally, Starbucks is among the companies that allow customers to use bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies to pay for their coffee. In 2018, the business announced its partnering with the crypto platform Bakkt. Through this process, people could convert their cryptocurrencies into US dollars. The partnership had the purpose of helping the company convert consumer Bitcoins and select other digital assets to US dollars.
The Starbucks app integrates with Bitcoin wallets, and clients state that transactions are fast. Given that the company utilizes a PoS blockchain technology powered by Polygon, this less-energy solution is also one of the most efficient. Starbucks has also explored other facilities on the blockchain to offer customers another way to engage with the web3 experience.
Wrapping up
Bitcoin has yet to become a worldwide accepted cryptocurrency but is already one of the most used by investors and regular people. Therefore, many major companies have already added a bitcoin payment option to their systems so that an extended target audience can pay with their bitcoins fast and easily. At the same time, these businesses are also using blockchain technologies to dig into web3 experiences.