Real-world use cases of Bitcoin

Bitcoin has evolved significantly since its creation, transforming from a simple digital cash system into a powerful, multifaceted asset with diverse real-world applications. From acting as a hedge against inflation in economies with high debt, to promoting financial inclusion in unbanked regions, Bitcoin continues to prove its value beyond just cryptocurrency trading.

1. Bitcoin as a store of value

This has become the core use case for Bitcoin today, and will continue to represent a material increase in demand for Bitcoin over the coming years, in our view. Institutional demand is currently growing nearly three times faster than new Bitcoin is being mined:

Unstable local currency: initially it was just people in countries like Argentina, Venezuela, and Lebanon, where prices are rising fast and local money is losing value, who turned to Bitcoin to protect their income and savings
Investor wealth protection: more recently, particularly since the inception of Bitcoin ETPs, investors across the world have been accumulating Bitcoin to preserve and grow their wealth against concerns of unsustainable government debt that could lead to currency devaluation
Strategic government reserve: in March 2025, the United States formally launched its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, becoming the largest public holder with over 200,000 BTC. States such as New Hampshire and Arizona have already passed Bitcoin reserve-related legislation. Meanwhile, 26 additional states have introduced similar bills, and 17 are currently debating them.

Corporate treasury: large corporations are adopting Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. Companies like Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) and Tesla have integrated Bitcoin into their balance sheets, viewing it as a long-term hedge against inflation and a growth investment.

2. National-level adoption and legal tender

In 2021, El Salvador made history by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. The move aimed to increase financial inclusion, attract investment, and promote tourism, demonstrating how Bitcoin can play a role in sovereign monetary strategy.

3. Cross-border payments

Bitcoin makes it easier and cheaper to send money across borders. Instead of using currency transfer services that charge high fees, people use Bitcoin to send money home quickly and at a lower cost.

4. E-Commerce and retail payments

Bitcoin is accepted as a direct payment method by online merchants such as Overstock and Newegg. With the help of payment processors like BitPay, businesses can seamlessly integrate Bitcoin and provide peer-to-peer, borderless payment options to customers.

5. Micropayments and streaming money

With tools like the Lightning Network, Bitcoin enables instant micropayments at near-zero cost. This innovation powers new monetization models for digital creators, think tipping, pay-per-article access, or streaming content, without relying on third-party platforms.

6. Humanitarian aid

Nonprofits like the Human Rights Foundation accept Bitcoin to facilitate transparent, borderless donations. In times of crisis or restricted banking environments, Bitcoin allows charities to deliver aid quickly and efficiently.

7. Monetization of energy

Bitcoin mining is enabling more renewable energy to be used by national electricity grids. Renewable energy typically makes up a lower proportion of grid electricity because it can’t be dialed up/down during periods of peak demand, and so fossil fuels are used for this purpose. However, since Bitcoin miners can switch on or off in seconds, they can stabilize the grid by soaking up surplus energy and shutting down during peak demand. Thus enabling a higher proportion of renewables without posing a risk of overloading the grid.