Essential Insights:
Coffee shops, fast-food chains like Starbucks and Sheetz, as well as retailers like Microsoft and Home Depot, are now facilitating crypto payments through apps and third-party processors.
A growing number of platforms are enabling Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP for significant travel and airline bookings.
Luxury brands, high-end car dealers, and real estate developers are adopting crypto payments for premium products and properties.
Payment processors simplify crypto acceptance for small businesses by instantly converting it to fiat and lowering compliance costs.
Cryptocurrencies have transitioned from fringe concepts to mainstream finance. By 2025, an increasing number of businesses are integrating digital assets, especially Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and XRP (XRP)—both as payment options and strategic assets.
Why focus on these three? Each boasts strong brand recognition, sufficient liquidity, and unique strengths: BTC serves as a store of value, ETH powers a smart contract ecosystem, and XRP excels in fast settlements and cross-border transactions. Collectively, they offer businesses trust, functionality, and speed.
This article delves into the applications of BTC, ETH, and XRP, from everyday purchases to large-scale airline integrations.
Daily Crypto Transactions: Coffee Shops, Restaurants, Retailers
For many crypto enthusiasts, the first real test is whether they can spend BTC, ETH, or XRP similarly to cash: be it a coffee, a sandwich, or groceries. XRP currently trails behind BTC and ETH in everyday usage due to fewer small vendors accepting it directly; its strengths typically lie in back-end and cross-border transactions rather than point-of-sale in cafes.
Coffee Shops and Small Eateries
In 2025, using crypto for coffee is no longer a futuristic concept. Numerous chains and independent coffee spots have embraced it as part of the daily routine. At Starbucks, for instance, you can obtain a Bitrefill gift card and pay for your caramel macchiato with Ether or Bitcoin.
Platforms like Flexa’s SPEDN wallet or reloadable digital gift cards facilitate easy token swaps for your lattes.
Even convenience stores are onboard. Sheetz accepts Bitcoin, Ether, and several other cryptocurrencies at checkout. And if you’re loyal to XRP, directories such as Cryptwerk can guide you to smaller eateries eager to exchange tokens for tacos or burgers.
Restaurants and Fast Food Chains
Some McDonald’s locations in crypto-friendly areas accept Bitcoin via payment apps, allowing digital dollar transactions for fast food.
Across Europe and the US, major fast-food chains like Subway and Burger King are accepting crypto payments, frequently facilitated through third-party gift card services or payment processors. While not all locations have implemented direct, in-house integrations, it presents a simple method for consumers to utilize their Bitcoin.
Steak ‘n Shake joined this movement in May 2025, introducing BTC payments nationwide and attributing an 11% sales increase to an influx of tech-savvy diners. Chipotle and Baskin-Robbins have also adopted BitPay integrations that allow customers to use ETH, BTC, or XRP for their meals.
Retail and Online Stores
AT&T permits customers to pay phone bills with ETH or BTC, avoiding those annoying late fees. Many online and some physical retailers accept XRP via services like CoinGate.
Big Tech companies are on board as well: Microsoft accepts BTC directly or through processors, while Newegg supports ETH for on-site purchases, and Overstock is welcoming XRP too. AMC Theatres enables Bitcoin and other digital asset transactions for everything from Xbox content to movie tickets.
Beyond these giants, e-commerce platforms such as Shopify have made it easier for millions of small and medium-sized businesses to offer cryptocurrency checkout options.
Major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ikea also accept cryptocurrency through Bitrefill and BitPay gift cards, allowing you to use ETH for your home improvement projects.
Scaling Up: Travel and Luxury
As the landscape of crypto payments evolves, many travel services and airlines, whether directly or through intermediaries, are starting to offer bookings with BTC, ETH, and occasionally XRP. For flights and hotel bookings, platforms like Travala.com allow users to make reservations using BTC, ETH, and numerous other supported digital currencies.
In the near future, Emirates passengers will be able to purchase first-class seats using digital currencies, eliminating the hassle of forex. The UAE’s luxury airline will partner with Crypto.com for this service. In Europe, AirBaltic has been accepting crypto since 2014 and has completed thousands of crypto transactions.
High-end brands and luxury car dealerships are also entering the crypto payment arena. For instance, Post Oak Motor Cars in the US accepts Bitcoin for super-luxury vehicle purchases via BitPay. Meanwhile, platforms like BitCars in Europe have established crypto-only marketplaces for premium and classic cars.
Luxury brands are not left out: Gucci and Ralph Lauren have expanded their crypto payment provisions at select flagship locations, especially for their more exclusive collections.
Fun Fact:Alternative Airlines is a standout service that supports over 600 airlines globally, allowing payments in more than 100 cryptocurrencies, including XRP.
Financial Services, Remittances, and Institutional Adoption
As usage transitions from consumer transactions to payments infrastructure, institutional adoption, remittances, and treasury operations, the distinct advantages of BTC, ETH, and XRP become apparent.
Remittance and Cross-Border Payments
XRP is often highlighted in this sector, as its consensus ledger and Ripple’s infrastructure are tailored for cost-effective and speedy settlements for international transactions. Companies like Mercury FX and Cuallix are exploring or have implemented XRP for these purposes.
Payment Processors and Gateways
To mitigate volatility risks, businesses are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency acceptance via platforms like PayPal, BitPay, and NOWPayments. Notably, PayPal enables retailers to transact in over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP.
Treasury and Corporate Holdings
Some companies, including BitMine, SharpLink Gaming, and VivoPower, incorporate crypto into their treasury portfolios for strategic reasons, including inflation hedging and deeper engagement in the cryptocurrency space.
How Can More Small Businesses Accept Crypto?
The evolution of user-friendly technologies and a broader financial ecosystem provides the solution.
Step 1: Select a Payment Processor
Processors like BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, and CoinGate facilitate easy integration of crypto payments for small businesses with minimal technical expertise required. By swiftly converting cryptocurrencies into fiat, these processors eliminate price volatility risks.
Step 2: Lower Compliance Costs
Automated tax reporting tools and more flexible regulatory frameworks can relieve small business owners of financial and legal burdens.
Step 3: Accept a Wider Range of Digital Assets
With reduced technical barriers and simplified compliance, businesses can confidently embrace a broader spectrum of cryptocurrencies.
This article does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trading activities carry risks, and readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making decisions.
