Bitcoin Adoption: From ATMs to Business Standards
Bitcoin adoption has been steadily growing over the years, with a new wave of adoption appearing almost yearly. While retail investors, institutional support, and even nation-states have played a role, it’s the businesses that are truly pushing the adoption forward.
The Growing Trend of Bitcoin-Based Businesses
Businesses are increasingly opting to integrate Bitcoin into their operations, not just accepting it as a payment method but also using it to operate.
Start9, a company working on sovereign computing, is a prime example. They use BTCPay, their own Lightning node, to accept Bitcoin payments and estimate that about one in six sales are now executed in Bitcoin. They aim to be fully on a Bitcoin standard in the coming years, meaning they will pay their employees, contractors, and partners in Bitcoin, accept Bitcoin for their products, and purchase raw materials with Bitcoin.
The idea of a Bitcoin standard isn’t limited to tech companies. Other businesses in the Bitcoin space, like Coinkite and Casa, are also embracing Bitcoin as a primary currency.
Bitcoin Adoption Beyond Tech
Beyond the tech sector, companies across diverse industries are starting to accept Bitcoin. Proton, a provider of private email, storage, and VPN solutions, accepts Bitcoin payments. Lunanode, a VPS provider, encourages users to host BTCPay server cases.
Here are some other examples of businesses that accept Bitcoin:
- Mullvad VPN (privacy-focused VPN solution)
- silent.link (eSIM provider)
- Kagi (ad-free search engine)
- Namecheap (domain name registrar)
- Alza (Czech Republic’s largest online retailer)
Retail businesses worldwide are also embracing Bitcoin, blurring the line between the physical and digital world. Companies like Sweetsats, a Bitcoin-only maple syrup and honey provider, demonstrate the potential of physical businesses adopting a Bitcoin standard. Zaprite, a group of physical businesses ranging from a dental clinic to a spice shop, also accept Bitcoin.
The Future of Bitcoin Adoption
As Bitcoin continues to evolve, more businesses are expected to adopt it as a primary currency. This trend reflects a desire for businesses to embrace a financial system that is independent of traditional banking and less susceptible to inflation.
By adopting Bitcoin, businesses are not only catering to a growing segment of customers but are also positioning themselves for a future where digital currencies play a significant role in the global economy.
