Is Bitcoin Going Mainstream?

Checkout The Places To Use Bitcoin!

The argument about Bitcoin is still ongoing: is it an actual usable currency or just an investment tool?

But while most investors continue to hold on to their precious Bitcoins, the world around them has started figuring out new and enticing ways for Bitcoins to be spent.

Here are just a few of the things that have recently become purchasable by Bitcoin:

Gift cards for major retailers

Major retailers like Amazon, Target, Home Depot and the like are yet to accept Bitcoin. But now, a clever little site called Gyft.com enables users to purchase gift cards to all these stores and more with Bitcoins, so effectively, they can now spend their Bitcoins to purchase items from the world’s biggest marketplace.

Travel

It is already possible to book hotels with Bitcoins through Expedia, and buy train and air travel tickets with Bitcoins through CheapAir. And soon, the more adventurous among us will be able to cross the final frontier and use their Bitcoins to go into space, thanks to Richard Branson’s latest announcement that Virgin Galactic plans to accept Bitcoin as payment.

Media subscriptions

Dish Network and the Chicago Sun Times, are just two of the major media providers that as of this year accept Bitcoin as a mode of payment. In fact, the Chicago Sun Times has already reported that approximately 11% of their subscribers use Bitcoin to pay for the service.

Online gaming

The gaming giant Zynga has started accepting Bitcoin payments for the various in-app purchases available in its major titles, including the popular FarmVille 2. Next time users are in need of a Farm Bucks they can dip into their Bitcoin cache to get some.

Living large

For those who’ve got coin to spare, they can head to BitPremier, the world’s first luxury Bitcoin marketplace where shoppers can buy anything from a Bentley, to 18th century art, a yacht, a mansion, or even a 300 acre hill top in Costa Rica!

How will this affect Bitcoin prices?

The opportunity to spend Bitcoins rather than hoarding them for speculation purposes is bound to increase Bitcoin liquidity and sooner or later dispel fears of the “Bitcoin price bubble”. With actual material value attached to the hitherto fickle crypto-currency, it is likely to stabilize and become a more useful payment tool as well as a less volatile and risky investment.

Article Written By: Abby Tsype