Cryptocurrency in business: trend or necessity?

Cryptocurrency in Business: Trend or Necessity?

Cryptocurrency in business is no longer just a trendy gimmick, but a real tool. Just a couple of years ago, everyone thought it was merely a way to attract attention. But now even large companies are starting to accept Bitcoins and other digital currencies. Why? Because it is profitable. More and more companies around the world are integrating crypto payments — from online stores to international corporations.

So, is it just a trendy gimmick or a real advantage for business?

Every year, more companies realize that cryptocurrency offers real benefits.

According to a Deloitte study:

• 85% of companies claim that crypto payments help attract new customers.

• 77% of businesses save on fees — crypto transfers are cheaper than bank ones.

And it gets even more interesting. Now we’ll show real examples of how companies are already earning more, expanding their customer base, and solving international payment issues — simply because they started accepting cryptocurrency.

Why Does Business Accept Cryptocurrency? What Are the Benefits?

Let’s be honest: cryptocurrency is not just a buzzword. Successful businesses are already using it as a working tool. Here are the main reasons why you should consider accepting crypto payments:

Expanding the Customer Base and Increasing Revenue

Enabling payments in Bitcoins and other coins allows you to reach a new audience, namely, tech-savvy and financially capable customers who are interested in integrating modern solutions. The more payment methods you offer, the higher the sales conversion. By accepting cryptocurrency, you open the doors to foreign clients who previously had no convenient way to pay through banking systems. Back in 2014, the American online retailer Overstock accepted over $1 million in Bitcoin during the first two months of integrating cryptocurrency, and about 60% of those orders were made by new customers.

Reducing Fees and Expenses

Traditional acquiring systems (credit cards, PayPal, etc.) charge a fee of 2-5% on each transaction. Cryptocurrency payments allow significant savings on these fees — payments go directly from the client to the seller without intermediaries, hence the fee can be minimal. For example, the Japanese company ZenMarket had a fee of just 1%, while traditional payment providers charged 2.5-3%. Low costs are one reason why businesses are adopting cryptocurrency, as saving 2-4% on turnover directly increases profit.

Global Sales

The internet has erased borders for trade, but bank transfers and cards are not available everywhere. Cryptocurrency enables swift payments with clients from any corner of the world. Payments are credited almost instantly, which is an essential advantage of cryptocurrencies. No more waiting 2-3 days: funds arrive in the account immediately after confirmation in the blockchain. This opens the door for businesses to the global market — even a small store can accept payments from clients on the other side of the world without banking delays and excessive currency conversion fees.

Moreover, the popularity of stablecoins — cryptocurrencies whose value is tied to a stable asset, most often the dollar or euro — is growing. Such assets solve the problem of volatility. In 2024, stablecoins accounted for 35.5% of all crypto transactions, indicative of businesses and consumers seeking stability in crypto payments.

Security and Fraud Protection

Each transaction on the blockchain is irreversible and transparently recorded in a distributed ledger. This practically eliminates chargebacks and dishonest payment disputes—a problem that often plagues online businesses when paying with cards. Unlike fiat payments, cryptocurrency offers enhanced security due to the cryptographic protection of the blockchain. Each transaction is verified and logged in a distributed ledger, ensuring transparency, reliable traceability, and effective fraud protection. For businesses, this means fewer losses from fraud transactions and greater trust in dealings with partners.

Bypassing Restrictions on International Payments

In the context of sanctions and financial restrictions, cryptocurrency becomes an extremely useful tool for companies. In CIS countries, some entrepreneurs use cryptocurrency for mutual settlements with foreign partners when traditional methods are hindered. In Russia, despite legal restrictions, small businesses are actively utilizing cryptocurrency for foreign trade transactions — it is a way to conduct payments bypassing blocked banks. Using cryptocurrency for transfers abroad has already become a popular method to bypass sanction barriers when settling with foreign clients. Thus, cryptocurrency maintains its status as a legal payment method and becomes an alternative financial bridge — especially where traditional channels are unavailable or blocked.

Case Studies: How Companies Are Already Profiting from Cryptocurrency

Overstock: New Customers and Increased Sales Thanks to Bitcoin

The American online store Overstock became one of the pioneers in accepting cryptocurrency. Back in January 2014, Overstock started accepting Bitcoin for payment — and within just a few months, the volume of sales when paying with cryptocurrency exceeded $1,000,000. According to Overstock's CEO, Patrick Byrne, the result exceeded expectations: payment via Bitcoin attracted an entirely new audience of buyers.

The company noted that about 60% of these orders were made by new customers who had not previously shopped at Overstock. In fact, the integration of crypto payments opened the store to thousands of people around the world. This not only provided a surge in revenue but also strengthened Overstock's image as an innovative, customer-oriented platform. The management also highlighted the financial benefit: commission expenses for processing Bitcoin payments turned out to be lower than credit card fees. Overstock’s experience clearly showed that what seemed like a trendy option at first can bring real value to businesses — from increased customer influx to savings on fees. This case became significant for the entire market, proving the viability of cryptocurrency as a payment method.

ZenMarket: +264% in Sales After Integrating Crypto Payments

The Japanese service ZenMarket included cryptocurrencies as payment options — and the results were impressive. Since this feature was launched, the share of crypto payments in the company's revenue has been steadily growing. In just one year, the number of crypto transactions tripled, and ZenMarket's total sales grew by 264% compared to the same period last year. Thanks to this, the platform attracted a new audience and expanded its customer geography. This allowed buyers to avoid expensive bank conversions and not lose money on currency exchange during cross-border purchases. For ZenMarket, accepting cryptocurrency resulted in savings on fees, effective PR, and a powerful competitive advantage: the news that the service supports Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies attracted media attention and thousands of new visitors to the site.

Travala: A Breakthrough in Online Tourism

The service Travala.com specializes in booking hotels and flights worldwide and supports payments in dozens of cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins. According to the company’s official blog, in February 2021, the total booking volume on the platform amounted to $1.75 million, with 72% of payments made in cryptocurrency. This indicates a high level of demand among travelers who prefer transparent and fast transactions without banking restrictions. Additional benefits for Travala include lower fees and an influx of a new, financially capable audience.

MoreMins: 10% of All Payments in Cryptocurrency

The European telecommunications service MoreMins, which provides cheap international calls and eSIM for travelers, is also not lagging behind in success after integrating crypto payments. By adding cryptocurrencies to its business, the company noticed that more and more of its users prefer to pay with crypto for communication services.

Today, cryptocurrencies account for 10% of the total number of transactions at MoreMins. In fact, every tenth payment is made in Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum, or other coins, with the volume of crypto payments doubling annually. Interestingly, about a third of these payments are in Bitcoin, while stablecoin Tether ranks second, followed by Tron, Ether, and Litecoin. For the business, such a result means an increase in the share of cryptocurrency to 10% among payment methods and a reduction in dependence on banking channels. MoreMins successfully attracted those clients who find it easier to pay from a mobile crypto wallet than to input card details on the site. The company’s experience demonstrates that even in a relatively traditional field, cryptocurrency can take a significant niche if convenient and reliable options are offered.

YouTravel.me: Tour Payments with Digital Currencies

The Russian online platform for booking custom tours and travels, YouTravel.me, added the acceptance of cryptocurrencies for its users in 2021. According to the co-founders, this step allowed for more flexible settlements with foreign guests and avoided a series of challenges with transfers during periods when Western payment providers limited their operations with Russian cards. The management of YouTravel.me emphasizes that the appearance of this payment method sparked interest among tourists from Europe and Asia who are accustomed to international crypto transactions and see them as a salvation from currency rates and banking restrictions. With this step, the company was able to attract technologically advanced clients from the IT industry, reduce fraud cases, and simplify multi-currency settlements.

Global Brands: From Luxury to IT

Examples of cryptocurrency adoption come not only from specialized digital services but also from traditional companies in various industries. Many well-known brands have also supported this trend in recent years:

• Microsoft – allows users to top up their accounts in the Microsoft Store using Bitcoin, which can be used to purchase games, apps, and other digital products. This is a signal for the market: a large IT corporation recognizes cryptocurrency as a legitimate payment method.

• Tesla – the electric vehicle manufacturer accepted Bitcoin and Dodge for a while when selling its cars, demonstrating support for innovative payment methods. Although Tesla later suspended direct acceptance of BTC due to volatility and environmental concerns, the very fact of such a step prompted the industry to discuss the role of crypto in the automotive sector. Moreover, Tesla continues to hold a significant reserve of Bitcoins as an investment.

• Gucci – the legendary luxury fashion brand implemented cryptocurrency payments in a number of its boutiques worldwide. Premium segment buyers were given the opportunity to pay for designer goods with Bitcoins and Ethereum, attracting tech-savvy clients and creating a newsworthy event in the fashion industry. Following Gucci, other retailers have also followed suit: from watchmakers to electronics chains, eager not to miss the trend.

• Shopify – one of the largest online commerce platforms, enabled thousands of sellers to accept cryptocurrency in their online stores. Through integrations with payment gateways (Coinbase Commerce, BitPay, etc.), Shopify store owners can easily add cryptocurrency payment options. This expanded choices for millions of customers worldwide: if a store has enabled the option, a customer can pay, for example, with the stablecoin USDC instead of using a credit card. For small and medium-sized businesses on Shopify, this is an opportunity to go global — to attract customers from any country who prefer to pay with crypto.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrency for business is no longer an experiment, but a working tool that brings real money. Companies around the world are already reaping the benefits: sales are growing, new customers are arriving, and money is saved on fees. Yes, you'll need to understand the technology and account for risks such as currency fluctuations. But those who have already adopted crypto payments gain a tangible advantage over competitors.

By 2025, cryptocurrency will become even more widespread. If your competitors are already accepting Bitcoins and other digital currencies, and you are not — you risk losing part of your customers and profits. It’s no coincidence that industry forecasts promise deep integration of blockchain technologies into economic processes — meaning that cryptocurrency transactions will become even more familiar and mainstream.

For some businesses, it is now an opportunity to stand out in the market; for others, it is already a necessity because that’s what customers want. But one thing is clear: companies that have learned to use cryptocurrency stand a better chance of success in the modern world.

Time will tell, but it is already clear: to ignore this technology is to voluntarily give up on new opportunities.