Accepting bitcoin as payment

Cryptocurrencies are becoming more and more common.

In recent times it is difficult not to find a headline in the media whose protagonist is cryptocurrencies. While the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies is becoming increasingly common among investors around the world, the opportunities to spend virtual currencies are somewhat limited by comparison, due in large part to its sheer volatility, and the fact that most companies still do not accept payments with digital money.

However, there is a growing number of companies in a lot of varied industrial and productive sectors, from big technology to airlines, that are adopting cryptocurrencies as another form of payment, allowing customers to use them as if they were traditional money to buy goods and services.

Here we tell you which are some of the big companies that already accept payments with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies:

Microsoft

As one of the largest software companies in the world, it is significant that Microsoft accepts Bitcoin payments, which goes some way to building a degree of trust in the use of cryptocurrencies. Redeemed for credit to top up user accounts, Bitcoin can be used to pay for a wide variety of services, including Xbox Live and Skype. But the company's interest in encryption technology doesn't end there. Using the blockchain, Microsoft has also launched ION, a two-layer authentication platform on the Bitcoin network.

Starbucks

After an extensive trial period that has lasted several months, Starbucks customers can now use the new Bakkt app to pay for drinks and products at the coffee chain using Bitcoin. According to the creators of the application, 500,000 people participated in the test program carried out by the multinational to gauge the effectiveness of accepting cryptocurrencies as a payment method.

Tesla

The CEO of Tesla, the largest manufacturer of electric cars, Elon Musk, has a love-hate relationship with Bitcoin. The company initially announced earlier this year that it would accept Bitcoin payments for vehicle purchases, though only in the United States. The announcement followed a €1.5 billion investment in the cryptocurrency by the electric car company. However, everything changed as a result of Musk's statements where he assured that Tesla will suspend Bitcoin transactions until more than 50% of cryptocurrencies are extracted using renewable energies.

Amazon

Earlier this year it emerged that Amazon was joining the ranks of other tech giants, including Facebook, in laying the groundwork for its own exclusive cryptocurrency. However, the most famous and powerful e-commerce company on the planet still does not accept direct payment for its products and services with cryptocurrencies. Even so, Amazon coupons can be purchased through the Bitrefill company, a platform that facilitates payment with cryptocurrencies by converting Bitcoin into gift cards, phone recharge cards, etc