What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Crypto to Pay Online?

Cryptocurrency has come a long way from being a niche experiment in the early 2010s. In 2025, it’s not just about buying Bitcoin and hoping the price will go up—it’s about using crypto as actual money. More businesses are opening their doors to digital assets, and payment processors are making it easier than ever to check out with coins instead of cash. But the question remains: is paying with crypto really practical, or is it just hype? Let’s break down the real-world pros and cons of using crypto to pay online and see where gift cards fit into the picture.

The Benefits of Paying with Crypto

Using crypto to pay online offers a variety of benefits, especially for those who value speed, global access, and security. Here are some of the key advantages:

Borderless by Design

You don’t have to worry about exchange rates, foreign transaction fees, or whether your credit card will even work in another country. A stablecoin transfer from the US to Europe takes just as little effort as sending it to your next-door neighbor.

Faster Transactions

Bank wires can take days and sometimes get delayed for no clear reason, while a crypto payment usually lands in minutes. That kind of speed is especially appealing to freelancers, gamers, and anyone who doesn’t want to wait around for their money to clear.

Lower Fees

If you’ve ever looked at a PayPal receipt and cringed at how much was shaved off in fees, you’ll appreciate that crypto can often cost less to send. Networks like Litecoin or newer blockchains can process transactions for pennies compared to traditional payment rails.

More Privacy

Crypto doesn’t require you to hand over sensitive card details or connect directly to your bank. For some, that’s peace of mind knowing their information is less exposed.

Financial Freedom

You don’t need a bank account to hold Bitcoin or Ethereum—just a wallet app. That means millions of unbanked people around the world suddenly have access to a global economy.

The Drawbacks You Should Know About

Of course, paying with crypto isn’t perfect, and there are reasons why it hasn’t fully replaced Visa or Mastercard yet.

Price Volatility

You could buy something online today, and tomorrow the value of the coin you spent might have doubled—or dropped by half. That makes budgeting tricky for both shoppers and merchants.

Limited Acceptance

While adoption is growing, you can’t expect every online store to let you check out with Bitcoin or USDT. Many merchants prefer the familiarity and protection of traditional payment methods.

Learning Curve

Setting up a wallet, safeguarding private keys, double-checking addresses—it’s not as user-friendly as typing in a credit card number. Beginners often feel intimidated, which slows mainstream adoption.

Regulatory Uncertainty

Some countries embrace crypto, others restrict it, and the rules can change overnight. This patchwork makes global adoption uneven.

Irreversibility

Once you send funds, they’re gone. If you make a typo in the address or fall for a scam, there’s no “chargeback” to save you.

Why Gift Cards Are the Smarter Choice

Here’s where gift cards come into play. They solve many of the headaches of using crypto directly while keeping most of the benefits. Not every retailer accepts crypto, but nearly all of them accept gift cards. By buying a gift card with crypto, you essentially unlock access to that store without needing it to support digital payments.

Gift cards also eliminate the volatility issue because the value is locked in at the moment of purchase. Plus, they provide flexibility—covering everything from global giants like Amazon, Netflix, and Uber to everyday essentials.

That’s exactly what Cardstorm makes possible. On Cardstorm, you can buy gift cards with crypto from a selection of over 6,000 cards and prepaid options, using more than 250 different cryptocurrencies. Whether you want a prepaid Visa or a subscription to your favorite streaming service, Cardstorm bridges the gap between digital assets and everyday life.

Conclusion

So, what’s the verdict? Using crypto to pay online comes with plenty of perks—speed, global access, and privacy—but also with real challenges like volatility and limited adoption. Gift cards provide a practical workaround, combining the best of both worlds. They give crypto holders a straightforward way to spend coins on real products and services without the friction.

If you’re looking for the easiest way to unlock the power of your crypto, the answer is clear: try Cardstorm today and buy your gift card with crypto. It’s the simplest way to turn digital money into everyday convenience.