Who Accepts Bitcoin in 2026? Major Companies and Retailers

Bitcoin has come a long way from the days when it was primarily used on darknet markets. In 2026, over 15,000 businesses worldwide accept Bitcoin as a form of payment, ranging from tech giants and telecom companies to coffee shops and car dealerships. With the rise of Lightning Network payments, Bitcoin ETFs in mainstream brokerages, and integrated payment processors like BitPay and Strike, spending Bitcoin has never been easier. Here's a comprehensive guide to where you can actually use your Bitcoin in the real world.

Editor's Choice: Major Companies That Accept Bitcoin in 2026

Bitcoin Acceptance by Category

How to Pay With Bitcoin in Practice

There are several ways to spend Bitcoin at both online and physical retailers in 2026:

1. Direct Bitcoin Payments

Some merchants accept Bitcoin directly to their own wallet. You scan a QR code or send to a Bitcoin address. The transaction is settled on the Bitcoin blockchain (typically 10-60 minutes for confirmation) or instantly via the Lightning Network.

2. Payment Processors (BitPay, Strike, OpenNode)

Most large companies use payment processors that handle the conversion. When you pay with Bitcoin at AT&T or Newegg, BitPay receives your BTC, instantly converts it to USD, and credits the merchant. This eliminates volatility risk for the business.

3. PayPal "Checkout with Crypto"

PayPal lets you use Bitcoin (and other supported cryptos) at any of its 30+ million merchant partners. When you select "Checkout with Crypto," PayPal automatically sells your Bitcoin and pays the merchant in USD. The conversion happens in real-time with no additional fees beyond PayPal's standard crypto spread.

4. Bitcoin Debit Cards

Services like Coinbase Card, BitPay Card, and Fold Card let you load Bitcoin onto a Visa or Mastercard debit card. You can then spend it anywhere that accepts card payments. The card converts BTC to USD at the point of sale. Some cards even offer Bitcoin cashback rewards.

5. Lightning Network

The Lightning Network enables instant, nearly-free Bitcoin payments. Apps like Strike and Wallet of Satoshi make Lightning payments as easy as scanning a QR code. An increasing number of physical stores, especially in El Salvador and parts of Europe, accept Lightning payments directly.

Travel and Bitcoin

Travel is one of the strongest categories for Bitcoin spending:

• Travala: Book hotels at 2.2 million properties worldwide with Bitcoin. Often offers 2-5% discounts for crypto payments.
• CheapAir: Book flights, hotels, and rental cars with Bitcoin since 2013 — one of the oldest crypto-accepting travel sites.
• Norwegian Air: Accepts Bitcoin for ticket purchases on select routes.
• Some Airbnb Hosts: Individual hosts accept BTC through third-party processors, though Airbnb itself doesn't officially support it.
• Private Aviation: Companies like BitLux and PrivateFly accept Bitcoin for private jet charters.

Gift Cards: The Workaround for Everything Else

Even if a store doesn't directly accept Bitcoin, you can buy gift cards with BTC for virtually any retailer through services like:

• Bitrefill: Gift cards for Amazon, Walmart, Target, Uber, DoorDash, Netflix, Spotify, and thousands more.
• Fold App: Buy gift cards and earn Bitcoin cashback rewards.
• CoinGate: E-gift cards for major retailers, redeemable instantly.

This effectively makes Bitcoin spendable at almost every major retailer, even if they don't formally accept crypto.

Tax Implications of Spending Bitcoin

An important caveat: in the United States, spending Bitcoin is a taxable event. Every time you use BTC to buy goods or services, the IRS treats it as selling Bitcoin. If your Bitcoin appreciated since you bought it, you owe capital gains tax on the difference. For example, if you bought $100 worth of Bitcoin that's now worth $500 and you spend it, you owe capital gains tax on the $400 gain.

This tax friction is a major reason why many Bitcoin holders prefer to "HODL" rather than spend. Some users mitigate this by spending recently purchased Bitcoin (minimal gain) or by using a Bitcoin debit card that auto-selects lots with the least tax impact.

Notable Companies That Stopped Accepting Bitcoin

Not every Bitcoin experiment has been successful. Several major companies accepted and then dropped Bitcoin:

• Tesla: Accepted Bitcoin for car purchases in early 2021, suspended it citing environmental concerns, and has not reinstated it as of 2026.
• Steam (Valve): Dropped Bitcoin in 2017 due to transaction fees and volatility.
• Stripe: Discontinued Bitcoin payment processing in 2018 but has since reintroduced support for USDC stablecoin payments.

The Future of Bitcoin Payments

Several trends suggest Bitcoin payment adoption will continue growing:

• Lightning Network maturation: Transaction capacity has increased 500% since 2023, making instant micropayments viable at scale.
• Regulatory clarity: Clear tax and compliance frameworks make businesses more comfortable accepting crypto.
• Stablecoin bridge: Many merchants now accept Bitcoin through stablecoin conversion, eliminating volatility concerns entirely.
• Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs): As governments launch their own digital currencies, the infrastructure built for CBDCs also supports Bitcoin payments.

The Bottom Line

You can spend Bitcoin at a growing list of major companies in 2026, including Microsoft, AT&T, PayPal merchants, Starbucks (via apps), Overstock, AMC Theatres, and thousands of e-commerce stores. With Bitcoin debit cards and gift card services, you can effectively use Bitcoin almost anywhere. However, keep in mind that every purchase is a taxable event in the U.S., and most merchants still convert Bitcoin to dollars rather than holding it. The infrastructure for spending Bitcoin has never been better, but the tax implications mean most holders still prefer using it as a long-term investment rather than everyday spending money.