Who Will Accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP in 2025?

Key takeaways:

• Crypto payments are being accepted by coffee shops, fast-food chains like Starbucks and Sheetz, and retailers such as Microsoft and Home Depot via apps and third-party processors.

• A growing number of platforms are starting to enable Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP for extensive travel and airline bookings.

• Luxury brands, upscale car dealerships, and real estate developers are incorporating crypto payments for high-end products and properties.

• Payment processors simplify crypto acceptance for small businesses by quickly converting cryptocurrencies into fiat currency, minimizing compliance expenses.

Cryptocurrencies have moved beyond niche concepts in finance. By 2025, an increasing number of businesses are adopting digital assets—especially Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and XRP (XRP)—not just as payment options but also as strategic investments.

Why these three? Each possesses strong brand recognition, solid liquidity, and unique attributes: BTC as a store of value, ETH for its smart contract capabilities, and XRP for its rapid settlement and cross-border finance. Collectively, they provide businesses with trust, functionality, and speed.

This article delves into the applications of BTC, ETH, and XRP, ranging from everyday purchases to significant airline integrations.

Everyday crypto transactions: Coffee shops, restaurants, retailers

For many cryptocurrency holders, the true test lies in spending BTC, ETH, or XRP like cash—whether for coffee, a sandwich, or groceries. XRP usually falls behind BTC and ETH in everyday purchases, as fewer small businesses accept XRP directly; its strengths are typically found in backend or cross-border payments instead of point-of-sale transactions.

Coffee shops and small eateries

As of 2025, paying for coffee with crypto is no longer a distant dream. Numerous chains and independent cafes have integrated it into their daily operations. For instance, at Starbucks, you can purchase a Bitrefill gift card to pay for your caramel macchiato using Ether or Bitcoin.

Applications like Flexa’s SPEDN wallet, along with reloadable digital gift cards, facilitate seamless token exchanges for your coffee fix.

Convenience stores are also joining the trend. Sheetz accepts Bitcoin, Ether, and several other cryptocurrencies at checkout. If you’re an XRP enthusiast, directories like Cryptwerk can direct you to smaller eateries that accept tokens for tacos or burgers.

Restaurants and fast-food joints

Certain McDonald’s locations in crypto-friendly areas permit Bitcoin payments through apps, making fast-food transactions with digital money a reality.

Major fast-food chains in Europe and the US, such as Subway and Burger King, are also accepting crypto payments primarily through third-party gift card services or payment processors. Although not every location has direct implementation, it offers a straightforward method for consumers to utilize their Bitcoin.

In May 2025, Steak ‘n Shake announced it would accept BTC nationwide, which reportedly resulted in an 11% increase in sales by attracting tech-savvy customers. Chipotle and Baskin-Robbins have also embraced crypto payments through BitPay, allowing ETH, BTC, or XRP to fund your meal.

Retail and online shops

AT&T allows customers to pay their phone bills using ETH or BTC, helping them avoid late fees. Many online and some physical retailers accept XRP through gateways like CoinGate.

Large tech companies are also embracing this shift: Microsoft accepts BTC directly or through processors, while Newegg supports ETH for online purchases, and Overstock is open to XRP as well. AMC Theatres allows Bitcoin and other digital assets for a variety of products, from Xbox content to movie tickets.

E-commerce platforms like Shopify have simplified cryptocurrency adoption for millions of small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to easily add a crypto checkout option.

Major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ikea accept cryptocurrencies through Bitrefill and BitPay gift cards, allowing consumers to use ETH for home improvement projects.

Scaling up: Travel and luxury

As crypto payment systems evolve, numerous travel services and airlines are beginning to offer BTC, ETH, and occasionally XRP for bookings, either directly or through intermediaries. For instance, sites like Travala.com enable travelers to book flights and hotels using BTC, ETH, and various other digital currencies.

Shortly, Emirates passengers will be able to purchase first-class seats using digital currency without worrying about foreign exchange transactions. The luxury airline will partner with Crypto.com for crypto acceptance. In Europe, AirBaltic has been accepting cryptocurrencies since 2014 and has processed thousands of transactions.

High-end brands and luxury car dealerships are also venturing into cryptocurrency payments. Post Oak Motor Cars in the US, for example, accepts Bitcoin for the purchase of super-luxury vehicles via BitPay. In Europe, BitCars has created a crypto-only marketplace dedicated to premium and classic vehicles.

Luxury brands are catching on as well: Gucci and Ralph Lauren have broadened their crypto payment options across selected flagship stores, especially for exclusive collections.

Did you know? Alternative Airlines is a significant player; it supports over 600 airlines and permits payments with 100+ cryptocurrencies, including XRP.

Financial services, remittances, and institutional adoption

As usage transitions from consumer-level transactions to payments infrastructure, institutional implementations, remittances, and treasury operations, the distinct advantages of BTC, ETH, and XRP become more apparent.

Remittance and cross-border payments

XRP is frequently viewed as ideal for these applications due to its consensus-based ledger and Ripple’s infrastructure designed for lower costs and quicker settlements in cross-border transactions. Companies like Mercury FX and Cuallix have adopted or tested XRP for these purposes.

Payment processors and gateways

To mitigate risks associated with volatility, businesses are increasingly adopting cryptocurrency through platforms like PayPal, BitPay, and NOWPayments. PayPal, in particular, facilitates the use of over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP for retailers.

Treasury and corporate holdings

Companies like BitMine, SharpLink Gaming, and VivoPower incorporate crypto into their treasury portfolios for strategic advantages, inflation protection, or to deepen their involvement in the cryptocurrency market.

How can more small businesses accept crypto?

The key lies in the advancement of more user-friendly technologies and a broader financial ecosystem.

Step 1: Choose a payment processor

Payment processors like BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, and CoinGate simplify crypto payment integration for small businesses, requiring minimal technical expertise. By converting cryptocurrencies into fiat currency instantly, these processors eliminate exposure to price volatility.

Step 2: Reduce compliance costs

Small business owners can alleviate some financial and legal burdens through automated tax reporting systems and more transparent regulatory frameworks.

Step 3: Embrace a wider variety of digital assets

With lowered technical barriers and simplified compliance, businesses can confidently accept a broader diversity of cryptocurrencies.

This article does not provide investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move carries risk, and readers should conduct their own research before making decisions.