Cryptocurrency

What Can You Buy with Crypto in 2025?

— From groceries to getaways, crypto has evolved from a novelty to a full-fledged payment option for everyday and luxury purchases.
By Emily WilsonPUBLISHED: May 22, 16:21UPDATED: May 22, 11:25 12720
Person using cryptocurrency to make a digital payment on a smartphone

Back in the early days, using crypto to actually buy something felt more like a gimmick than a genuine payment method. You might’ve read headlines about someone purchasing pizza with Bitcoin or trading Ethereum for an airline ticket, but for the average person, crypto was still just a volatile digital asset sitting in a wallet.

These days, crypto has driven itself into popular use, from regular shopping to fancy stuff, all the way to vacations and entertainment. Not only is crypto popular on little-known tech sites or small forums, but now big brands, real estate firms, holiday booking companies, and even governments are getting involved.

So, what exactly can you buy with crypto today? Let’s take a tour through the new digital marketplace.

Everyday Purchases, Now Powered by Crypto

Daily life has become surprisingly crypto-compatible. With digital currency, you're able to get coffee, order what you need for your home, or even take on weekend DIY projects.

Crypto payments have become much more popular with many retailers and e-commerce platforms. Global store chains and local brands are starting to take payments directly from crypto wallets or putting crypto payment gateways like BitPay, CoinGate, and Shopify’s crypto services to use. You’re able to get smart home devices, garden supplies, appliances, and furniture using digital payments.

Using a card backed by Visa or Mastercard, you can pay with your crypto at nearly all places that accept traditional card payments. At the point of sale, the card provider handles the exchange of your crypto into fiat so that both sellers and buyers have an easy time.

Tech and Luxury: Yes, You Can Buy That iPhone With ETH

It’s not surprising that the tech world was one of the first to embrace crypto payments. Today, you can grab everything from a new smartphone to a fully loaded gaming PC and pay with Bitcoin, Solana, or even USDC.

But where things get especially interesting is the luxury goods market. Luxury brands like watchmakers, top fashion houses, and rare art dealers now accept crypto, not only to be fashionable, but mainly because their customers want it. Since a large number of wealthy people are investing in crypto, it makes sense for luxury brands to let customers pay with BTC or ETH.

And it’s not just a gimmick. In some luxury marketplaces, you’ll even find NFT-backed ownership certificates for physical goods, making crypto not just a payment method but part of the authentication process.

Travel Plans? Book It All with Bitcoin.

Travel sites like Travala, CheapAir, and Destinia have made it possible to use crypto for everything from flying to Bali to staying in a New York hotel. A majority of these platforms allow customers to pay with many different digital currencies, including both Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as stablecoins USDT and USDC.

Flight booking? Check.

Hotel room? Check.

Rental car? You bet.

If you’ve got a serious sense of adventure (and a sizable crypto balance), you can even book a ticket to space. Several commercial space tourism companies are now accepting crypto for suborbital experiences, bringing new meaning to the phrase “moonshot.”

Entertainment, NFTs, and Online Casinos: Where Crypto Feels at Home

Now let’s talk about where crypto feels most native. The world of digital entertainment.

Gaming, online casinos, and NFTs have created a thriving economy of their own, and 2025 is seeing this space mature into something much more stable and spendable.

For starters, blockchain-based games are everywhere. You can use crypto to buy in-game assets, skins, or premium upgrades directly through platforms built on Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon. Many games are entirely crypto-powered, with marketplaces where you can buy and sell virtual goods as NFTs.

And if you’re more into testing your luck than building virtual empires, the online gambling space has taken things even further. All operations, from depositing money to withdrawing winnings, can be done in crypto.

Fully regulated Bitcoin gambling sites now provide everything you’d get from a standard online casino, including slots, blackjack, poker, and live dealer games, plus features such as fast payments, more privacy, and the option to play anywhere in the world.

The integration of crypto into gambling platforms has made it easier than ever for players to jump in, especially in regions where traditional banking options are limited or slow.

Insurance, Real Estate, and Financial Services

Crypto isn’t just reshaping consumer spending. It’s pushing boundaries in finance, insurance, and property ownership.

Some insurance providers now accept crypto payments for health, travel, and even vehicle insurance. This is most common in countries with clear regulatory frameworks, but the trend is spreading. For frequent travelers and global remote workers, paying premiums in crypto simplifies cross-border policies.

Then there’s real estate.

In places like Portugal, Switzerland, and parts of the U.S., buying property with Bitcoin or Ethereum is no longer considered outlandish. Agents and platforms have stepped up to streamline the legal and tax processes, allowing crypto to fund everything from deposits to closing costs.

And on the finance front, DeFi platforms now offer lending, staking, yield farming, and synthetic asset trading. You only need a cryptocurrency wallet to use these services; there's no need for a bank account, official documents, or delays.

Although most people using DeFi are already crypto experts, 2025 has brought many new, user-friendly apps and interfaces to make it more accessible for beginners.

Countries Leading the Crypto Charge

Crypto adoption isn’t equal around the world. A few standout countries have made major strides in integrating digital currencies into their economies:

  • El Salvador – The first country to make Bitcoin legal tender continues to expand crypto infrastructure, from education programs to everyday retail integration.

  • Switzerland – A hub for crypto banking, with cities like Zug and Lugano allowing tax payments in Bitcoin and stablecoins.

  • Portugal – Attracts digital nomads and investors with its favorable crypto tax policies and growing real estate market.

  • Singapore – A regulated environment and strong fintech ecosystem have made it one of Asia’s top crypto destinations.

  • United Arab Emirates – Particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, regulators have welcomed blockchain innovation, with crypto zones and licensing frameworks in place.

These nations are setting the tone for what a crypto-powered economy can look like, whether through policy, infrastructure, or cultural adoption.

A Final Word: Crypto Is Spendable But Trackable

Using crypto to buy real-world goods and services in 2025 is easier than ever, but don’t forget the fine print. In many countries, spending crypto still triggers a taxable event, especially if your assets have appreciated since purchase.

This means that every time you buy something with Bitcoin or Ethereum, you might need to calculate capital gains. It’s not exactly a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind, especially if you’re spending big.

Still, for those who’ve been holding crypto for years—or even just months—being able to spend it in the real world is a major milestone.

From coffee shops to condos, crypto is no longer just digital money. It’s spendable, usable, and in many cases, preferred. Still, one thing is clear: the question is no longer “Can you buy things with crypto?” It’s “What will you buy next?”

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Emily Wilson

Emily Wilson is a content strategist and writer with a passion for digital storytelling. She has a background in journalism and has worked with various media outlets, covering topics ranging from lifestyle to technology. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys hiking, photography, and exploring new coffee shops.

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