Cryptocurrency is increasingly being used for both everyday transactions and high-value purchases, indicating a shift from purely speculative use to practical adoption across various user groups.
Gen Z leads in day-to-day crypto usage, with 36% spending on gaming-related expenses and 35% using digital assets for daily purchases and travel bookings.
In contrast, Gen X takes the lead in high-value spending, with 40% of users in this group opting to use crypto for travel, digital products, and even real estate, according to a Bitget Wallet survey of 4,599 crypto wallet users.
The data highlights a growing trend: crypto is becoming a viable payment method, especially in categories like gaming, daily essentials, and travel.
Millennials are increasingly using cryptocurrency for a wide range of purchases—including travel, subscriptions, and digital goods—reflecting their strong familiarity with digital assets.
According to Jamie Elkaleh, Chief Marketing Officer of Bitget Wallet, the growing integration of crypto into global merchant ecosystems is making everyday transactions more seamless for users.
“QR codes for small merchants and card integrations for larger retailers make crypto payments feel natural for consumers, aligning with their usual shopping habits while allowing merchants to avoid the complexities of traditional exchanges,” he explained.
Convenience, Political Unrest, and Luxury Spending: Regional Factors Fueling Crypto Payments
Regional differences in infrastructure and consumer behavior are shaping how people use cryptocurrency, according to the report.
In Southeast Asia, gaming and gifting top the list, with 41% of users showing interest in using crypto for these purposes. Meanwhile, East Asia leads globally in using crypto for daily purchases and digital goods, also at 41%.
Africa stands out for its use of cryptocurrency in education, with 38% of users leveraging digital assets for cross-border transactions in largely underbanked regions. In Latin America, 38% of users use crypto for digital products, while 35% turn to it for online shopping.
In the Middle East, there is notable interest in luxury and lifestyle spending—31% of users are interested in using crypto for high-end goods and 29% for purchasing cars.
This trend aligns with recent developments, such as Emirates—the region’s largest airline—signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to integrate Crypto.com Pay into its payment system.
