What Can I Buy with Crypto? A Guide to Spending Digital Assets

You have set up your wallet and bought your first Bitcoin or Ethereum. You may have watched the price move up and down and left it at that.

At some point, you might want to do more than hold and trade. You might want to use your crypto in the real world. Many people still think crypto only lives online, but more and more services now sit between blockchains and the everyday economy.

Today, you can often use your coins to book a flight, buy a video game, or purchase a gift card for a major retailer, although availability still varies widely by country and provider.

How spending crypto actually works

When you spend cryptocurrency, the transaction usually happens in one of three ways. Knowing how each works can help you choose the right option for your situation.

1. Direct peer‑to‑peer transfer

This is the most basic way to spend crypto.

If you hire a freelance designer or buy something from an independent merchant who understands crypto, they may give you their wallet address or show you a QR code.

You send the agreed amount of crypto directly from your wallet to theirs. There is no bank or payment company in the middle, which some people like.

However, both of you are exposed to price changes during the process. If the price moves suddenly while the transaction is confirming, one party may end up better or worse off than expected.

2. Crypto payment processors

Most established businesses do not want to hold volatile assets. They prefer to receive euros or another local currency.

To manage this, they use crypto payment processors, which work a bit like online card terminals.

At checkout on a website that supports crypto:

• The processor shows you a QR code with the exact amount of crypto to pay based on a real-time exchange rate.
• You scan the code and send the crypto from your wallet.
• The processor detects your transaction, fixes the price for a short time, then converts your crypto into fiat currency, such as EUR or USD, which it sends to the merchant.

This usually protects the merchant from sudden market moves and gives you a clear payment amount. Fees and exchange rates vary by provider and network, so it is important to review them before confirming payment.

3. Crypto debit cards

Most shops, cafés, and supermarkets do not accept Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies directly. In these situations, crypto debit cards provide a bridge.

These cards are linked to your crypto balance with a particular provider. When you tap or swipe in-store, or pay online:

• The card provider sells the amount of crypto needed to cover the purchase.
• It converts the proceeds into fiat currency.
• The merchant receives payment in euros or another supported currency through the Visa or Mastercard network.

From the merchant’s point of view, it looks and settles like a normal card payment. For you, it feels similar to spending from a bank account, although in the background you are actually disposing of crypto.

Card terms, fees, and availability differ across different services. Some providers also apply spending limits or additional checks, so always read the conditions carefully.

Real‑life examples: what can you buy?

You cannot pay with crypto everywhere, and acceptance often changes over time. However, there are a few common categories where you are more likely to be able to use digital assets.

Travel and tourism

Travel services are among the more crypto-friendly sectors.

Some booking platforms allow users to pay for hotels, flights, and tours using different cryptocurrencies. In some cases, certain airlines or travel agencies may accept Bitcoin or stablecoins directly or through a payment processor.

Keep in mind:

• Availability depends on your country of residence and local rules.
• Prices are usually set in fiat currency, then converted to crypto at the current rate.
• Refunds, if offered, may be processed in fiat or crypto, depending on the platform’s policy.

Technology and online services

Technology companies were early adopters of digital assets. You can often pay for services such as VPNs, domain names, web hosting, and some software subscriptions using crypto.

Some large companies have, at different times, allowed users to fund their accounts with Bitcoin or similar assets to buy games and apps. These policies can change quickly, so always check current payment options on the official website.

Gift cards

If a retailer does not accept crypto, you may still be able to use your coins indirectly by buying gift cards.

Several services sell digital gift cards for a wide range of shops, streaming platforms, and gaming services. You pay the gift card provider in crypto, and they send you a digital code that you can use at the chosen store.

Before using this route, consider:

• The reputation and regulation of the gift card provider.
• Any service fees or exchange rate margins.
• Local consumer protection rules, such as expiry dates and refund rights.

Luxury goods and high‑value items

Crypto is sometimes used for large purchases, such as luxury watches, art, property, or vehicles. For some buyers and sellers, a blockchain transfer can be faster than arranging an international bank transfer.

However, these transactions are complex. They often involve additional checks such as anti‑money laundering (AML) and know‑your‑customer (KYC) procedures, and may have specific tax and legal consequences.

If you are considering a high‑value purchase with crypto, you should seek professional legal and tax advice before proceeding.

Charitable donations

Many charities and non‑profit organisations now accept crypto donations, either directly or through a payment processor.

Public blockchains make it easier to see when a transaction has been received. In some cases, charities publish wallet addresses so donors can verify that funds arrived.

Cross‑border transfers can be faster than some traditional methods, but you should still:

• Confirm that the organisation is genuine and properly registered.
• Check how they handle conversion to fiat and any related fees.

The tax implications of spending

Before you pay for a coffee with crypto, it is important to understand how the transaction may be treated for tax purposes.

In many jurisdictions, cryptocurrencies are treated as assets rather than as official currency. This means that spending them is often treated in a similar way to selling them.

Always check the rules that apply in your specific country or ask a qualified tax adviser.

The trading card analogy

Imagine that you bought a rare trading card for €10. Some time later, the same card is worth €50, and you swap it for a video game worth €50.

For tax purposes, you have effectively:

1. Sold the card for €50, creating a gain of €40.
2. Used the €50 to buy the video game.

Even though you never held the €50 as cash, you still made a gain, which can fall under capital gains tax rules.

Spending appreciated crypto is often treated in a similar way.

Taxable events

In many jurisdictions, using crypto to buy goods or services is a taxable event. If the value of your crypto has increased since you acquired it, spending it may lead to a capital gains tax liability on the profit.

If the value has fallen, you may realise a capital loss. In some systems, you may be able to use that loss to offset other gains, subject to local rules.

To calculate this correctly, you usually need to keep detailed records, including:

• The date and time you acquired the crypto.
• How much you paid, including any fees.
• The date and time you spent or disposed of it.
• The euro value at the time of disposal, based on a reliable exchange rate.

Good record‑keeping is essential if you are using crypto regularly for payments. There are tax software services available that can automate this for you, examples include Koinly and Kryptos, among others.

Risks and red flags

Spending crypto can be convenient, but it is not the same as using a bank card. There are some specific risks you should understand before you start.

• No chargebacks
  Most blockchain transactions are final. Once you send funds to a merchant’s address, you usually cannot reverse the payment through a bank or card scheme. Your only option is to rely on the merchant’s refund policy and willingness to cooperate.

• Price volatility during checkout
  If you use a direct wallet‑to‑wallet transfer, the price of the coin can change while the transaction is confirming. You may end up paying more or less than you planned in euro terms. Many payment processors limit this risk by fixing the rate for a short window, for example 10 to 15 minutes.

• Input errors
  Crypto addresses are long and complex. If you type one incorrectly or send funds on the wrong network, such as sending a token to an incompatible address, the funds are often lost permanently. To reduce this risk, always copy and paste addresses or use QR codes, and double‑check the network and amount before sending.

• Privacy considerations
  Public blockchains are transparent. If you pay a merchant directly from a personal wallet, they might be able to see your wallet balance and some of your past transactions. Using a payment processor or a separate wallet for spending can help limit how much information you reveal.

Summary

Using cryptocurrency for everyday purchases is now possible in many situations, although it is far from universal. With the help of payment processors, gift card platforms, and crypto debit cards, you can often use digital assets to pay for travel, online services, and in some cases even groceries or higher‑value items.

However, spending crypto usually counts as disposing of an asset. That means each purchase may be a taxable event and can create a gain or a loss that you need to report.

If you understand how the payment flows work, keep good records, and stay aware of the risks, you can use your digital assets more confidently and with fewer surprises at tax time.