Bitcoin as a means of payment: a global usage map
While some countries ban the use of Bitcoin as a payment instrument, others are actively testing crypto payments and integrating digital assets into their financial systems.
For now, the leading share of Bitcoin transactions is still remittances. According to Chainalysis, the share of payments in BTC transactions does not even exceed 15%.
North, Central, and Latin America
In the United States, Bitcoin is recognized as a commodity, and federal regulators refuse to use Bitcoin in payments due to its intense volatility and high money-laundering risks. Despite this, according to Statista, at least 36% of small and medium-sized businesses in the US already accept cryptocurrency payments directly or via intermediaries like Bitpay.
As of August 2025, a new bill called the Clarity Act is being developed in the US, which is expected to officially grant Bitcoin and altcoins the status of "digital commodities" under the supervision of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Nevertheless, some US states are already implementing or planning Bitcoin payments. For example, the governments of Texas and Wyoming have allowed taxes to be paid in Bitcoin. In New York, a pilot project is planned where residents will be able to receive salaries and pay utility bills in Bitcoin.
In developing Latin American countries, El Salvador has become the leader in integrating cryptocurrencies into the payment system, having legalized Bitcoin payments back in 2021. Despite this step, Bitcoin has not gained much popularity among locals: according to a survey conducted by El Salvador's Universidad Francisco Gavidia (UFG) in late September 2024, only 7.5% of residents over 18 used BTC for payments.
Statistics show that tourists rather than locals make 70% of Bitcoin transactions in El Salvador. Analysts believe Bitcoin has become a great PR tool for El Salvador, but not a solution to the country's economic problems.
Other Latin American countries, such as Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela, show steady growth in demand for Bitcoin as a payment method and for P2P trading. The main driver of this trend is high inflation, which makes people see Bitcoin as a haven from economic issues. For example, Brazil has already allowed the use of Bitcoin in retail payments.
Europe
The EU was the first to make a significant step in officially defining the status of cryptocurrencies. According to the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation adopted in 2024, Bitcoin is recognized as a financial instrument but not as a means of payment.
This means that under Article 27 of the MiCA regulation, companies in the Eurozone are prohibited from accepting Bitcoin as payment for goods and services due to the asset's high volatility.
Despite this, German authorities have allowed real estate purchases with Bitcoin, and in Zug, Switzerland, people can pay taxes in BTC. In these countries, some stores and private retailers also accept Bitcoin payments.
Analysts predict that the EU may allow Bitcoin payments for cross-border transactions but will seek to minimize its use for payments within the EU.
UK authorities consider Bitcoin too risky an asset and are instead focusing on stablecoins, which are easier to regulate. Although Bitcoin is not legal tender in the UK, about 0.2% of companies accept payments in BTC and other major cryptocurrencies.
Asia
In South Korea, Bitcoin is already allowed for payments, but only under strict KYC ("Know Your Customer") and AML (anti-money laundering) requirements.
In Japan, since 2017, Bitcoin has been recognized as a means of payment and is regulated by clear rules. According to various estimates, about 15% of large Japanese retailers accept Bitcoin payments directly or via intermediaries.
In China, Bitcoin payments remain banned. Experts believe this status is unlikely to change soon, as the Chinese government prioritizes control over financial flows over technological innovation.
In India, Bitcoin is classified as a digital asset rather than a payment method. Moreover, the government has not yet developed a clear regulatory framework for cryptoassets. Therefore, Bitcoin adoption in India's financial system in the next three years is unlikely.
Africa
Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa are leaders in the African region for P2P payments. For example, according to Chainalysis, Nigeria alone accounts for about 40% of Africa's P2P payments. About one-third of Nigeria's population uses crypto wallets.
In South Africa, Bitcoin is considered part of the "informal economy" and is used as an unofficial currency. In Kenya, notable crypto startups are working to integrate Bitcoin into the country's payment system.
According to analysts, by 2027, at least 15 African countries will integrate Bitcoin into social payment systems, but only a few will officially recognize BTC as legal tender.
Middle East
Some Middle Eastern countries remain among the world's most advanced crypto hubs, aiming to integrate digital assets into state payment systems. For example, in the UAE, government services can be paid for in Bitcoin via the Dubai Coins platform.
However, not all Middle Eastern countries are favorable to cryptocurrencies. For example, Saudi Arabia does not plan to recognize Bitcoin as a payment method but is actively testing its own CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency).
Experts predict that most Middle Eastern countries will focus on CBDC development, and by 2028, less than 5% of payments in the region will be linked to cryptocurrencies.
Conclusion
Despite regulatory restrictions and the refusal of some federal agencies to recognize Bitcoin as a payment method, there is steady growth in the number of businesses accepting BTC.
According to BTC Map, as of August 2025, more than 17,000 retailers worldwide accept Bitcoin payments. Over the past two years alone, this number has grown more than 2.5 times.
Experts note that the integration of stablecoins and CBDCs into financial systems could significantly influence the growth of Bitcoin payments. In 2024 alone, the number of countries studying CBDCs reached 134, accounting for 98% of the world's GDP.
At the same time, analysts point out that the transaction volume in stablecoins in 2024 reached $8.5 trillion — more than double that of the payment giant Visa. Bitcoin's status as a payment method will likely remain in many countries, but the number of such states will shrink against the backdrop of rising stablecoin popularity and CBDC adoption.
Experts emphasize that mass adoption of Bitcoin in national payment systems will require special conditions such as hyperinflation and technological breakthroughs (e.g., solutions like the Lightning Network with zero fees and instant transactions).