In a 1999 interview, Professor Milton Friedman, an American economist who received the 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his research on consumption analysis, monetary history and theory, and the complexity of stabilization policy. He had this to say:

"I think the internet is going to be one of the major forces for reducing the role of government. The one thing that’s missing but that will soon be developed is a reliable e-cash."

In November 2008, a paper was posted to a cryptography mailing list titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System." In this time the value of the first Bitcoin transactions were negotiated by individuals on the bitcointalk forums with one notable transaction of 10,000 BTC used to indirectly purchase two pizzas.

In 2011, based on Bitcoin’s open source code, other cryptocurrencies started to emerge. By 2017, a single bitcoin's worth reached more than $4000

This is greatly attributed to the fact that more people are getting educated on how Bitcoin works. The convenience of receiving payments within seconds, with minimal transaction fees means a lot to a business. More online stores are opening up to accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment from their customers.

"Not only is Bitcoin exciting, it’s also going to play an “important role” in the future of PayPal." - John Donahoe, CEO of eBay

There are many other small e-commerce stores that accept cryptocurrency for purchases. Some industries even have custom cryptocurrencies, which serve like means of payment between parties.

The use of cryptocurrency is on the rise as it has many benefits, such as security, speed, minimal transaction fees, easy to store and manage and relevance in the digital era. It is evident that we won’t have to wait very long to see cryptocurrency as a globally accepted means of payment.

Expedia.com

Expedia teamed up with Coinbase in implementing the world's largest travel booking agency found online. Since mid 2014, users have been able to make hotel bookings using the Bitcoin payment option. Expedia currently accepts Bitcoins for hotel bookings only, but are expected to expand to include flight bookings and other activities.

Microsoft

Microsoft users can use Bitcoin to purchase games, movies and apps in the Windows and Xbox stores, as well as the Microsoft online stores.

Virgin Galactic

Since 2013, Virgin Galactic, a commercial space flight venture owned by Entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, that includes companies such as Virgin Mobile and Virgin Airline, accepts purchases using Bitcoin. You can even pay for space travel with Bitcoin

Overstock.com

Overstock is a company selling big-ticket items at lower prices, owing to overstocking. Overstock.com was the first online retailer to accept Bitcoins starting January 2014. Overstock partnered up with Coinbase allowing its customers to pay with Bitcoin for all their purchases, from TV sets and laptops to pillows. In order for you to use Bitcoins on Overstock, you need to simply choose the “pay with Bitcoin” option for you to complete your purchases.

Newegg.com

Newegg is an online electronics retailer who accepts Bitcoin as a payment method. If you are a gadget junkie, then you can make electronic purchases using Bitcoin.

eGifter

eGifter is a popular gift card mobile app, which allows users to buy gift cards for different places, such as Amazon, Sephora, Home Depot and Kohls. eGifter works with Coinbase as their Bitcoin partner. Bitcoins are accepted for purchasing gift cards for places that do not directly accept Bitcoins.

Zynga



For the online gamers, Zynga partnered with BitPay for their Bitcoin payments. Players can use Bitcoins for in-app purchases.

Subway

Subway franchises in Buenos Aires recently accept Bitcoin for payments at the restaurants for their “Eat Fresh” products.

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