While they were a mostly novel concept years ago, digital assets have become much more mainstream. 2024, for example, saw major tokens like Bitcoin reaching new all-time highs, the approval of spot ETFs in the United States, and more visibility for the asset class than ever before.
But do you know all the things that you can do with cryptocurrency? Those who are newer to the industry might assume that its use cases are limited but this is far from the truth. In this article, we will touch on some of the things you can do with digital coins.
Investment
One of the most popular things to do with digital coins is to use them as an investment vehicle. While some traditional investors might be sceptical, they have more than proven themselves over the years. For example, Bitcoin was declared the highest-performing asset of the 2010s, even beating out legacy assets like gold. The good thing about cryptocurrencies is that you will never be short of options. As Marina Avramovikj writes, investors can always check out upcoming Coinbase coins – what’s next? This allows investors to find more options to put their money into. So, anyone looking to diversify their Investments should consider cryptocurrency.
Dining
Fun fact: one of the first-ever purchases made with Bitcoin was of two Papa John’s pizzas. Today, the amount spent on those pizzas is worth millions of dollars and there are more options to spend crypto on food than ever before.
Major brands like Starbucks, KFC, and Burger King in different countries have begun accepting cryptocurrency for their products, which means that you can dine using digital coins. Local establishments are also known to accept cryptocurrency, though this is obviously on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to spend your cryptocurrency on dining, you are best off reaching out to the establishments in your area to see which accepts them.
Booking Hotels
Just like with food, there is a growing number of avenues through which you can book hotels and other accommodations using cryptocurrency. One of the most common is Travala, which accepts not only third-party tokens but has its own native token. Several independent and forward-thinking hotels also now accept cryptocurrency for bookings, so this is something to look into. Usually, all you need to do is select your room of choice and select cryptocurrency as your payment method at checkout. As cryptocurrency becomes even more popular, the number of hotels you can book using it will increase.
Shopping
These days, you can pay for all sorts of consumer goods using cryptocurrency and this works in several ways. Brands like Microsoft have started accepting cryptocurrency directly but there is also the option to go through gift card platforms. Sites like Bitrefill sell gift cards for major brands like the Apple app store, Starbucks, Nike, and so on. These allow customers to buy gift cards using cryptocurrency, so you can access all these different businesses using your digital assets. What’s more, you can buy these for yourself or gift them to others. Over time, more retailers should begin accepting cryptocurrency directly, Plus the rise of crypto-backed credit and debit cards means that you can shop with crypto as easily as you would fiat currency.
Paying Bills
One of the most consistent expenses we deal with is our bills and utilities. But did you know that you can pay for these using cryptocurrency? Sites like RelayPay allow customers to set up direct debits for their bills such as electricity, streaming services, and so on. What’s more, the accounts that make these payments can be funded with cryptocurrency. By depositing crypto onto these platforms, your tokens are converted to fiat currency and then automatically deducted when your bills are due. Those who are very committed to using their cryptocurrency for recurring expenses will find this to be a big benefit.
Book Travel
Booking flights, trains, cabs, and so on can be done with cryptocurrency these days. Sites like Alternative Airlines, Travala, and others allow customers to book travel using crypto alongside fiat currency. Just like with hotels, all it takes is selecting the flight you want to book and choosing cryptocurrency as your payment method at checkout. Those who want to put their tokens to good use or want to unlock rewards by paying with crypto should definitely consider this. While no major airlines accept crypto currently, some industry experts believe that this will change over time.
Conclusion
Digital assets can unlock a world of potential and use cases. As we have pointed out in this article, there are so many things you can do with your digital assets. From spending them on food and entertainment to investing in them, you should seek to take advantage of these assets and use them to their full potential.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
