With its expanding demand and acceptance, Bitcoin has monopolized the cryptocurrency sector. This virtual currency has swept the globe. It is the first and most well-known digital currency gaining widespread adoption. Generally, cryptocurrencies are gaining popularity because of their numerous advantages, including speed, wealth creation, minimal transaction costs, and importance to the IT community. As a result, accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment has started becoming a trend among big companies and even small businesses.

Although, Bitcoin is hardly recognized as a legal tender in many countries, save El Salvador and The Central African Republic (CAR), Bitcoin is accepted in many highly reputable companies in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Here is a list of globally recognized firms that accept bitcoin as a form of payment in 2022.

1. Microsoft

Microsoft was an early Bitcoin supporter, beginning to embrace cryptocurrency as fees for games, applications, and other digital content for platforms such as Windows Phone and Xbox in 2014. You may buy everything from Windows 10 licenses to games, movies, and applications in the Windows and Xbox shops by adding Bitcoin to your Microsoft account.

Microsoft has not only continued to support Bitcoin as a payment option in recent years but has also begun experimenting with blockchain technology.

2. PayPal

PayPal stated in November 2020 that all account users in the United States would be able to purchase and trade cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, on its platform. The statement came after it announced in October 2020 that it would launch cryptocurrency buying and selling options through cooperation with a brokerage.

PayPal indicated that they would push out cryptocurrency buying and selling functions to select international regions; in August 2021, the United Kingdom became the first country outside the United States to enable PayPal clients to buy, sell, and keep Bitcoin.

3. Starbucks

While PayPal allows its users to buy, store, and trade cryptocurrencies, Starbucks takes a different approach by enabling consumers to pay for their coffee using bitcoin. Starbucks stated in August 2018 that it was teaming up with Bakkt, a crypto platform developed by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), to allow users to convert their crypto into US dollars that can be used to pay for coffee.

Starbucks would benefit from the deal by converting consumer bitcoins and other digital assets to US fiat money.

4. Burger King

Burger King, the iconic fast-food company, said in January 2020 that it would begin accepting cryptocurrency payments at certain Venezuelan outlets. The action was considered a means to assist Venezuelans suffering from hyperinflation.

Burger King's ability to take cryptocurrencies was made possible via a collaboration with Cryptobuyer, a cryptocurrency payment processor. Burger King in Venezuela would begin taking Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as part of the cooperation.

5. AT&T

AT&T stated in 2019 that it will now accept online bill payments using BitPay, a third-party bitcoin payment processor. As a result, AT&T was the first major U.S. cell phone company to offer clients a bitcoin payment option.

When customers log on to their accounts online or via the myAT&T app, they can pick BitPay as a payment option and check out using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

6. Expedia

Expedia, the world's leading travel operator, has been taking BitCoin since 2014. Its pro-BTC stance is supported by the company's new CEO, who wants to grow Expedia's position in Asia and Europe.

His ambition is to use the power of technology to transform travel by accepting BTC as payment. Although Bitcoin is now only accepted for hotel reservations, customers will soon use it for car rentals, travel reservations, and other services.

7. Whole Foods

In May 2019, Flexa, a payments firm, partnered with Gemini, a digital currency business owned by the Winklevoss brothers. The collaboration's platform allowed major retailers to incorporate Flexa into the electronic scanners they used to accept phone-based payments via Apple Pay and other digital wallets.

To facilitate purchases, the program immediately converted Bitcoins into dollars. Whole Foods was among the first big retailers to utilize technology.

8. Etsy

Although Etsy does not currently have a system to accept Bitcoin as payment across the board, the marketplace's independent sellers can take cryptocurrencies in their storefronts if they like. It is the seller's responsibility to include an "other" payment method option at checkout.

In this example, buyers who select this option can message the seller with their payment choices — Bitcoin. The seller responds with a Bitcoin address to complete the transaction. The Etsy Community forum has a Bitcoin-specific page with advice on how businesses may promote that they accept Bitcoin and how to ensure a seamless payment.

9. Newegg

The online electronics giant Newegg accepts Bitcoin for payments. Unlike some other sites, Newegg does not require you to convert cryptocurrencies to cash using an app or a third-party service.

For PC buyers, all they have to do is choose "Pay With Bitcoin" and go through the shipping process. When clients make phone purchases, Newegg will issue them a QR code to scan. Newegg now sells cryptocurrency mining starter kits for those who want to mine bitcoins on their own.

10. Rakuten

Rakuten, a cashback and shopping website in Japan, began accepting Bitcoin as a payment method in 2015. The company started with Rakuten.com in the United States as part of a global Bitcoin launch before expanding the new program to its counterparts in Germany and Austria.

Rakuten did so by integrating the Bitnet online payment technology into its marketplaces. Following that, Rakuten Wallet was released, which already accepts cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum. Users can now credit their Rakuten Cash balance with cryptocurrencies.

Final Takeaway

More than this list of 10, many more reputable companies are following the trend of allowing payments in cryptocurrency; similarly, small-scale e-commerce businesses also allow crypto payments via several crypto payments API

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