Can Bitcoin Ever Be Used for Daily Purchases Worldwide?
Bitcoin, the world’s first and most famous cryptocurrency, has come a long way since its creation in 2009. What started as an experiment in digital money has grown into a global phenomenon, with a market value in the trillions of dollars and millions of users around the world[1]. But despite its popularity as an investment and a store of value, a big question remains: can Bitcoin ever become a currency that people use every day to buy groceries, pay bills, or shop online, not just in one country but everywhere in the world? To answer this, we need to look at where Bitcoin is today, what’s holding it back, and what might change in the future.
The Current State of Bitcoin for Everyday Spending
Right now, Bitcoin is not commonly used for daily purchases by most people. In some places, especially in the tech and finance sectors, you can find businesses that accept Bitcoin, but these are still the exception rather than the rule. For example, in the United States, about 35% of small businesses accept cryptocurrency for business-to-business transactions, but this number is much lower for everyday consumer purchases[1]. Some major companies, like Walmart, have started to integrate Bitcoin payments into their apps, but these features are often optional and not yet mainstream[2]. Even in countries where crypto adoption is growing, such as Japan, Bitcoin is still seen more as an investment than as everyday money[3].
There are technical reasons for this. Bitcoin transactions can be slow and expensive compared to traditional payment methods like credit cards or mobile wallets. While some newer cryptocurrencies can settle payments in seconds, Bitcoin’s network can sometimes take minutes or even hours to confirm a transaction, especially when the network is busy. This makes it impractical for buying a coffee or paying for a bus ride, where speed and convenience matter most.
Another issue is volatility. The price of Bitcoin can swing wildly in a single day, sometimes by 10–20%[1]. This makes it hard for both buyers and sellers to know how much their money is really worth from one moment to the next. Imagine paying for lunch with Bitcoin, only to find out that the amount you spent is worth much more (or less) by the time you finish eating. This kind of uncertainty discourages everyday use.
Challenges to Worldwide Adoption
For Bitcoin to be used daily by people everywhere, several big challenges need to be overcome.
Regulation is a major hurdle. Governments around the world are still figuring out how to handle cryptocurrencies. Some countries welcome them, while others ban or restrict their use. About 58% of businesses say regulatory uncertainty is a big problem holding back crypto adoption[1]. Without clear rules, it’s hard for companies to feel safe accepting Bitcoin, and for consumers to trust it as real money.
Security is another concern. Hackers and scammers have stolen billions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency, and these risks make people wary of using Bitcoin for daily transactions[1]. While the technology behind Bitcoin is secure, the systems built around it—like exchanges and wallets—can be vulnerable.
Education is also lacking. Many people simply don’t understand how Bitcoin works or how to use it safely. About 45% of small business owners say they don’t know enough about crypto, which slows down adoption[1]. For Bitcoin to go mainstream, more people need to learn about it and feel comfortable using it.
Interoperability is a technical challenge. There are many different blockchains and cryptocurrencies, and they don’t always work well together. This makes it hard to move money seamlessly between different systems, which is something people expect from modern payment methods.
Finally, there’s competition from other technologies. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which are digital versions of national currencies issued by governments, are being developed in many countries. These could offer some of the benefits of cryptocurrencies without the volatility and regulatory uncertainty, making them strong competitors to Bitcoin for everyday use[1].
Signs of Progress
Despite these challenges, there are signs that Bitcoin is moving closer to being usable for daily purchases.
In the business world, more companies are starting to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, especially for cross-border payments. Over 1,500 global suppliers now accept Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the use of crypto for settling invoices has grown by about 50% in 2025, particularly in tech and logistics[1]. Big tech companies like IBM and Oracle offer blockchain payment solutions for businesses, and cloud providers like Microsoft and Amazon are making it easier for companies to use crypto through Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) offerings[1].
In retail, apps like Walmart’s OnePay are beginning to support Bitcoin payments, and partnerships with companies like Zero Hash are making it possible for consumers to spend Bitcoin directly from their wallets[2]. If these features become more widely available and easy to use, they could help Bitcoin break into everyday spending.
Institutional adoption is also growing. Investment firms and even some traditional banks are starting to hold Bitcoin, and new financial products like Bitcoin ETFs are making it easier for ordinary people to get exposure to crypto[3][4]. This kind of mainstream acceptance could pave the way for broader use in daily life.
Technological improvements are happening too. While Bitcoin itself may not be the fastest or cheapest network, new technologies and second-layer solutions (like the Lightning Network) are being developed to make Bitcoin transactions faster and cheaper. If these solutions succeed, they could remove some of the technical barriers to daily use.
Geopolitical factors are also playing a role. In times of crisis or conflict, people sometimes turn to Bitcoin as a way to protect their money when traditional systems fail[6]. This “non-sovereign” aspect of Bitcoin—its independence from any government or central bank—could make it attractive in parts of the world where local currencies are unstable or untrusted.
What Would It Take for Bitcoin to Go Mainstream?
For Bitcoin to become a true global currency for daily use, several things would need to happen.
First, transaction speeds and costs would need to improve dramatically. People expect payments to be instant and free (or nearly free), and Bitcoin isn’t there yet. Second, price stability is essential. Until Bitcoin’s value stops swinging so wildly, it will be hard for people to rely on it for everyday spending. Third, clear and friendly regulations are needed in most countries, so that businesses and consumers feel safe using Bitcoin.
Education is also critical. More people need to understand how Bitcoin works, how to keep it secure, and how to use it in their daily lives. Finally, Bitcoin would need to work seamlessly with other payment systems and currencies, so that people can easily switch between Bitcoin and traditional money as needed.
The Role of Innovation and Competition
The crypto world is full of innovation. New projects are constantly trying to solve the problems that hold Bitcoin back. Some focus on privacy, some on speed, and some on making crypto easier to use. For example, privacy coins like Zcash are gaining attention as people become more concerned about financial surveillance[5]. Other projects are working on making blockchains faster and more scalable, so they can handle millions of transactions per second.
At the same time, traditional finance is not standing still. Banks and governments are developing their own digital currencies and payment systems, which could offer many of the same benefits as