Most people who own crypto just hold onto it. But crypto’s usefulness goes far beyond speculating on price. Today, you can spend cryptocurrency on groceries, travel, fuel, tech, entertainment, and much more, without having to sell it first.
If you have Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency in your wallet and you’re not quite sure what it’s for beyond holding it, here’s everything you can do with it.
Why more and more people are paying with crypto in stores
A few years ago, spending crypto in the real world was complicated. Today, it isn’t. Most payments work via a QR code: you show it at the till if you’re in a physical store, or enter it during checkout if you’re shopping online.
What’s changed in recent years isn’t just the number of merchants that accept crypto, but the range of everyday categories you can cover with it: supermarkets, petrol stations, hotels, gaming platforms, cosmetics, travel and more.
Bitnovo’s marketplace is one of the most direct ways to make that happen. You buy a gift card using the crypto you already have in your wallet, and you use it like any other gift card: online or in-store, for the brand you chose, whenever you want.
The entire process happens in the app. You go to the Store, find the brand you’re looking for, and choose the amount. At checkout, you select which cryptocurrency you want to pay with and, if multiple networks are available, which one you prefer to use. Confirm, and you’re done: the code appears in My purchases.
Types of gift cards
In Bitnovo’s Store, you’ll find all kinds of gift cards you can buy with crypto, from everyday brands like supermarkets and petrol stations to more specific options such as gaming, travel, or experiences.
Some are designed for a specific one-off use, like a cinema ticket or a getaway gift box, while others, like Bitsa, work as a reloadable prepaid card you can use to pay at any merchant that accepts Visa.
The catalogue covers pretty much any need, with cashback included on many of the available options.
Travel and transport
Iberia, Renfe, and Flixbus cover pretty much any kind of travel around Europe, and all three have gift cards available in Bitnovo’s Store so you can use Bitcoin or any other crypto directly.
Iberia is Spain’s flagship airline and one of the most important in Europe, with flights to destinations worldwide. Its gift card is available across Europe and offers 1.25% cashback.
For train travel, Renfe is Spain’s rail network, with routes connecting major cities in Spain and France. Its gift card is available in Spain and France, with 2% cashback.
Finally, Flixbus is Europe’s largest coach platform, with routes connecting hundreds of cities across the continent. Its gift card can be purchased from Spain.
You can also use crypto to refuel. In Spain, Moeve (Cepsa) is one of the country’s largest petrol station networks, and Carrefour Service Stations round out the offering for anyone who already does their regular shop at Carrefour. Both offer 0.75% cashback.
In Italy, IP Italia, Q8 Italia and Tamoil cover the main fuel brands on the Italian market, with cashbacks ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% and denominations from €5 to €50.
Health and beauty
Rituals is a cosmetics, fragrance and personal care brand with a range that goes from everyday essentials to premium gifts. Creams, oils, candles and home products with a very recognisable brand identity. 2.25% cashback, denominations from €10 to €100. Available in Spain and Italy.
Supermarkets
Carrefour is one of the world’s best-known hypermarkets, with an offering that goes far beyond groceries: electronics, clothing, fresh food and household products. Its gift cards are available in Spain, Italy and France. 0.75% cashback.
In Italy, there’s also PAM Panorama, a well-established Italian supermarket chain for everyday shopping, specialising in fresh food and household items. 1.06% cashback, denominations from €10 to €100.
Electronics and technology
Yoseyomo offers physical storage solutions for BIP39 and SLIP39 seed phrases, designed for people who want to protect their recovery keys securely and permanently. It has the highest cashback in the entire catalogue at 3.75%, with denominations from €89 to €1,139. Available across Europe.
Bitsa is a reloadable prepaid crypto card you can use at any merchant that accepts Visa. A versatile option for anyone who wants to use crypto day to day without being limited to a specific catalogue of brands. Available across Europe.
Entertainment and leisure
Cinema
Cinesa is Spain’s largest cinema chain, with theatres in the country’s main cities. You can buy your ticket directly with crypto in the app. Available in Spain. 1% cashback.
Experiences
We offer different brands so you can enjoy experiences. Smartbox sells gift boxes for getaways, spa days, gourmet dinners and adventure, with one of the highest cashbacks in the catalogue at 3.62%, and denominations from €10 to €100. Available in Spain.
Atrápalo is Spain’s go-to platform for planning trips and days out: hotels, flights, activities, shows and restaurants all in one place. 1.75% cashback.
Sport
Pádel Nuestro is the go-to store for everything padel: rackets, shoes, clothing and accessories. Available across Europe, with 1% cashback and denominations from €25 to €200.
Gaming
For gamers, there’s GameStop, the leading retailer in Italy for video games, consoles, accessories and gaming merchandise. 0.87% cashback, denominations from €10 to €100.
Gifts
IdeaShopping is a platform for original gifts and a wide variety of products when you’re looking for something different. Available in Spain with denominations from €5 to €400, and in Italy from €10 to €550. 0.25% cashback in both markets.
Toys “R” Us is the world’s best-known toy retailer, with a catalogue that spans all ages. Its gift cards are available in Spain with 1% cashback.
Home and décor
IKEA needs no introduction. The world’s best-known Swedish furniture and home décor retailer has gift cards available in Italy, with 1.5% cashback and denominations from €25 to €500. Perfect for any renovation project, home refresh or household upgrade.
Cheerz is a platform that turns your favourite photos into physical products: albums, posters, calendars and personalised gifts. A great way to decorate any space with your own memories. Available in Spain and France.
Global connectivity
If you’re travelling abroad and need an eSIM, Bitnovo’s eSIM gives you mobile data access in more than 200 countries. Unlike a physical SIM, you can activate it directly on your phone and choose between different profiles depending on what you need: local, regional or international connectivity. It’s especially useful for frequent travellers who want data without relying on roaming rates. Available across Europe.
You now know crypto’s usefulness goes far beyond simply holding it. Bitnovo’s Store brings all the categories you’ve seen here into one place, with cashback available on many of them. What you do next is up to you.
