Bitcoin (BTC) is a dynamic monetary asset with the potential to be both a commodity and a currency. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) classified BTC as a commodity, while El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021.
So does this make BTC a store of value or a medium of exchange? It can do both — On the one hand, BTC can be added to treasuries as an inflation hedge. On the other hand, it can also serve a retail purpose, such as meeting daily expenses.
Almost over a decade ago, the first person to use Bitcoin for a business transaction was Laszlo Hanyecz, who spent 10,000 BTC on two pizzas, or Bitcoin Pizza as the cryptocurrency community refers to him. However, this is not the amount of BTC that anyone needs to buy food in the real world. Why? Because customers have understood that they should pay only the amount that is worth the product, no less, no more.
This article will discuss different ways to buy food using Bitcoin. From crypto debit cards and gift cards to crypto food delivery portals, this article will cover all possible options for effectively using cryptocurrency to buy food.
Different ways to buy food using cryptocurrency
There are several ways to buy food with Bitcoin depending on the needs and interests of the user. After that, the three most common ways to use cryptocurrency for everyday expenses like food are:
Crypto cards
Crypto cards are like regular debit or credit cards, but crypto cards allow the customer to use their cryptocurrencies to pay. They essentially withdraw cryptocurrency from the user’s wallet and transfer fiat at the merchant’s end.
It helps users pay their daily bills through cryptocurrency without the hassle of finding outlets that accept cryptocurrency payments. Moreover, many crypto card companies today offer mobile apps that make it easy for the customer to spend Bitcoin anywhere.
Crypto gift cards
Customers can purchase gift cards for several food and delivery services using cryptocurrencies. They can then redeem said gift cards to pay for their meal in digital currencies. Crypto gift cards facilitate the sale and purchase of items from participating merchants to customers using cryptocurrency. There are a number of companies that offer gift cards, so it’s easy to find one that suits a user’s needs.
Crypto food delivery portals
Crypto food delivery sites are connected to many food and beverage outlets in different regions. It is like a website or app to order food from nearby restaurants and pay platform with cryptocurrency instead of paying the food vendor.
How to buy food using a crypto card?
Crypto cards allow you to perform Bitcoin transactions on various items in the physical world. However, in order to spend BTC through a crypto card for everyday needs like food, consumers must follow certain steps:
- The first step is to set up a digital wallet along with a merchant account. Considering that there are several crypto cards available in the market. Therefore, it is ideal to explore the options and choose one that meets the needs and budget of the respective user.
- Register by downloading the app and completing the Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Registering for a card and creating an account with the provider will allow the user to efficiently access their funds and make purchases online or in-store.
- Users can set a spending limit as well as schedule regular deposits into their account.
Almost all crypto cards allow customers to instantly convert crypto to fiat. However, how does one choose a crypto card that suits one’s goals? While some customers prefer cashback, others may gravitate towards productive services.
Many cards are suitable for regular shoppers because they work like shopping rewards cards that allow users to earn money on purchases. Some cards then allow users to earn interest on the cryptocurrency held in the account.
Also, when accessing the cryptocurrency card utility, be sure to check for multicoin support. A crypto card should ideally support several cryptocurrencies such as BTC, Ether (ETH) and Litecoin (LTC) among others.
Companies offering crypto credit cards include BlockFi and Gemini. However, more companies offer crypto debit cards such as Coinbase, Crypto.com, BlockCard, Binance Visa Card and BitPay.
How to buy food using a crypto gift card?
Crypto gift cards are loaded with digital funds that can be redeemed at any participating restaurant or retail store. They are simple to use and provide a way for customers to spend their cryptocurrencies conveniently. Here are some steps to get you started:
Brands like Amazon and Walmart don’t directly accept Bitcoin, but they do accept crypto gift card services. After that, users can use Bitrefill to directly pay for food in BTC using a crypto gift card. It is a website that offers gift cards, prepaid mobile recharge and Bitcoin Lightning Network services for over 1600 products in 170 countries.
How to use crypto food delivery portals?
Crypto food delivery portals are not drastically different from crypto gift cards. Both connect the user to merchants who use cryptocurrency services for payments. After that, the steps are quite similar – choosing a platform, registering and loading the wallet with money.
Additionally, customers have various options to use a crypto-delivery portal to purchase food. From simply buying food with cryptocurrency to buying groceries on credit and then paying for those purchases with cryptocurrency, both make cryptocurrency delivery portals convenient for cryptocurrency payments.
Platforms that allow users to order food directly from restaurants and then pay with cryptocurrency like Hungry? Sprigz in the UK, BiteMyCoin in the US, BiteMyCoin in Australia and Eats24/7 in Canada can be alternative ways to order food using cryptocurrencies.
Should you buy food with crypto?
There is no black-and-white answer as to whether users should choose crypto payments to buy food. However, using cryptocurrency to buy groceries has both benefits and drawbacks.
On the plus side, cryptocurrency transactions are generally fast and simple. Then, given that cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on the blockchain, it makes the process of tracking transaction history efficient. In addition, crypto payments eliminate the need for intermediaries such as banks by connecting the customer directly with the merchant.
On the other hand, crypto payments pose the risk of losing money through hacks. In addition, the digital asset class is also highly volatile, which can make day-to-day operations difficult. Thus, users should do their research before using cryptocurrency as a medium of exchange for everyday expenses.