We explain cryptocurrency payments

SUMMARY

Cryptocurrency payments are gaining ground. Retailers, individuals, and businesses are increasingly accepting them. You can transfer funds manually. Payment gateways are simpler. They avoid errors when copying addresses. There are also crypto cards that allow you to use your digital funds for traditional payments.

Crypto payments are fast and cheap. You don’t need to convert to local currencies for international transfers. A payment service is more intuitive than a regular wallet. They have customer support. Of course, you lose some control. They charge fees. Setting up takes time.

Introduction

Cryptos are not just speculation. People use them to pay. BTC, ETH, stablecoins... all transfer value. By 2025, 43% of e-commerce platforms will already integrate crypto payments. It seems surprising, but it's real. IKEA, Ralph Lauren, Wayfair... giants that accept these payments.

They use gateways to simplify everything. You can even pay for things in fiat with a crypto card. Sending money to a friend? Buying something? Blockchain options abound.

How do cryptocurrency payments work?

Essentially, you move crypto between wallets. You need the recipient's address. Copy it. Send it. Sounds easy. It’s not that simple. Beginners get scared. Irreversible mistakes happen. Wrong network. Wrong crypto. No possible returns. Big losses.

For this reason, more intuitive methods emerged. Gateways convert something complex in seconds. The typical process:

1. Someone decides to pay something.

2. The recipient creates a digital invoice. Usually a QR code with the address and the amount.

3. The payer scans and confirms.

4. Cryptos are transferred.

Few clicks. Safer. More convenient than the manual method.

Crypto cards for payments

Another option: crypto-linked cards. You pay with crypto where only fiat is accepted. Fun fact: 68% of major providers will offer cards with crypto rewards by 2025.

You store your coins with the provider. You buy something. The service sells your digital assets. Sends the fiat to the seller. Sometimes you can pay your monthly fee with crypto. It depends on the issuer.

Cards work in more places than gateways. Not so great for paying friends. Also not if someone wants to receive in crypto directly. Visa and Mastercard already offer these options.

What are the advantages of cryptocurrency payments?

Paying with crypto has intrinsic benefits. With payment systems, everything improves:

1. Bitcoin works in almost any country. No more conversions to local currency.

2. Almost instant transactions. Not always, but often faster than bank transactions. Cheaper.

3. You have customer support for technical issues. Something that does not exist with regular wallets.

4. Gateways are easier for many users than setting up their own wallets.

What are the disadvantages of cryptocurrency payments?

Advanced users notice limitations. Not everything is perfect:

1. Less control than with your own wallet. An intermediary appears.

2. Volatility complicates things if you don't use stablecoins. The recipient struggles to plan.

3. Long records. KYC. AML. Verifications. More work than creating a wallet yourself.

4. Additional service fees.

Popular solutions for cryptocurrency payments in 2025

In 2025, several options stand out. NOWPayments and Coinbase Commerce lead for businesses. They accept various cryptos. They offer automatic conversion to fiat. Integration with point of sale. Tax tools.

For consumers, Tap and BitPay facilitate payments via QR. They minimize fees. Wallets allow for online and physical payments. Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins... all work.

Conclusions

Since that 10,000 BTC pizza in 2010, much has changed. Fifteen years later, we have moved from manual processes to integrated gateways in FinTech services.

Adoption is growing. 43% of e-commerce platforms. Big stores like IKEA and Ralph Lauren are joining in. Want to try crypto payments? Explore options. Choose the one that suits you best. The future is already here.