Spending bitcoin

Paying with bitcoin works like paying anyone: the shop shows an address or a QR code with the amount, your wallet sends it, and the shop sees the payment arrive. Fewer places accept it than accept cards, and many that do use Lightning, a faster layer for small payments.

Live from the chain · prices from a public market feed

What an on-chain payment costs nowLoading live figures…

Fee for the next block

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A simple payment would pay

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In dollars

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Fees go up and down with demand. Lightning payments usually cost a small fraction of this.

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Paying at a shop or website

1. Choose bitcoin at checkout. The shop shows a QR code with the amount, usually valid for a few minutes because the price moves.
2. Scan it with your wallet. Check the amount and confirm.
3. On Lightning, the shop sees the payment in seconds. On the main chain, many shops accept it once it appears in the queue for small amounts, or wait for a confirmation for larger ones.

Many shops use a payment processor that turns the bitcoin into ordinary money as soon as it arrives, so they never hold bitcoin themselves.

Lightning in one paragraph

Lightning lets two wallets settle payments off the main chain and only record the result on it later. Payments arrive in seconds and cost very little, which suits small amounts like a coffee or a tip. A Lightning payment request is a long code that usually starts with lnbc. More in Lightning: fast small payments.

Bitcoin cards

Some companies offer debit cards linked to a bitcoin balance. At the till, the card company sells some of your bitcoin and pays the shop in normal money. It is convenient, but you are selling bitcoin each time, often with a fee, and the card company holds your coins.

Spending and tax

In many countries, spending bitcoin counts as selling it. If it has risen in value since you bought it, even a small purchase can create a taxable gain. Some countries exempt small amounts; others don't. See taxes and records.