Cryptocurrency is becoming a practical payment option across Australia. From healthcare providers to cafes and real estate agencies, businesses are increasingly embracing crypto to meet rising consumer demand.
This article highlights the best places to spend cryptocurrency in Australia, the tools facilitating these transactions, and the challenges that come with using digital currencies for everyday purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Around 3.9 million Australians currently own cryptocurrency, with 29% of adults having used crypto at some point.
- Businesses across industries like healthcare, food, real estate, travel, and tech now accept cryptocurrency as payment.
- Crypto wallets, debit cards (e.g., Upay), and payment platforms simplify crypto transactions for daily purchases in Australia.
- The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requires crypto users to track transactions for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) compliance.
- Since cryptocurrency isn’t recognized as legal tender, fewer consumer protections exist for crypto transactions.
An Overview of Crypto Spending in Australia
Source: Freepik
Australia has seen a significant surge in cryptocurrency adoption in recent years, with a growing number of individuals and businesses engaging with digital assets. This trend is reflected in various aspects, including ownership, trading, and spending.
According to Swyftx’s fourth annual crypto survey (2024), “An estimated 3.9 million Australians currently own cryptocurrency compared to 4.5M in 2023. In total, 29% (or three in ten Australian adults) have ever owned cryptocurrency”
The survey also highlights the increase in the younger generation’s adoption of cryptocurrencies
“Gen Z ownership increased to 32% over the last 12 months, a staggering 11 percentage point rise on the year prior.”
Australia also boasts a vibrant cryptocurrency trading market, with numerous exchanges and platforms facilitating the buying, selling, and trading of various digital assets.
The widespread use of crypto assets in Australia shows that thousands of Australians own cryptocurrency. Many use it to pay for products and services, and businesses often meet this demand. Over recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in Australian businesses accepting cryptocurrency as a payment method.
From small retailers to large corporations, businesses across various sectors, including travel, food and beverage, retail, and real estate, are starting to integrate crypto payments into their operations.
This growing acceptance is opening up more avenues for Australian crypto holders to spend their digital currencies.
Best Places to Spend Crypto in Australia
Source: Freepik
| S/N | Best Places to Spend Crypto in Australia | Categories |
| 1. | Tamworth Heart Clinic | Heath |
| 2. | Forsyth Real Estate | Real Estate |
| 3. | BIG4 Tweed Billabong | Entertainment |
| 4. | Aiyana Retreat | Hotel and Accomodation |
| 5. | Giuseppe’s Pizza | Food and Beverages |
| 6. | USA Foods | Groceries |
| 7. | Furlani Fitness | Sports and Fitness |
| 8. | CheapAir | Travel |
| 9. | The Metropolitan Hotel | Food and Beverages |
| 10. | Jam’s Karaoke Bar | Entertainment |
| 11. | Crypto Coffee | Food and Beverages |
| 12. | Another World | Groceries |
| 13. | Glow Golf | Sports and Fitness |
| 14. | Perth Heat | Sports and Fitness |
Health
Tamworth Heart Clinic (Tamworth, NSW)
Tamworth Heart Clinic in North Tamworth, Australia, provides comprehensive cardiac care for patients of all ages.
Services include consultations for conditions like coronary artery disease and arrhythmias, advanced diagnostic testing such as echocardiography and stress tests, and personalized treatment plans involving medication, lifestyle changes, and procedures. The clinic also offers cardiac rehabilitation programs to support recovery after heart events or surgery.
The clinic is a leader in integrating cryptocurrency into healthcare as it allows its patients to pay for services using crypto.
Food and Beverages
The Metropolitan Hotel (Sydney, NSW)
This historic pub serves classic pub food, drinks, and craft beers. The Metropolitan Hotel is among the few venues in Australia that accept Bitcoin for beer purchases. It also features a Lamassu Bitcoin ATM, which requires no ID verification.
Giuseppe’s Pizza (Mornington & Bittern, VIC)
Giuseppe’s Pizza is a family-run restaurant known for its delicious takeaway meals. They use fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create a wide range of pizzas. This includes a gourmet selection with options like smoked salmon pizza, pasta, and risotto. All orders can be paid for using crypto.
Crypto Coffee (New Farm, Brisbane)
Crypto Coffee, located at 572 Brunswick St, New Farm, Brisbane, is Australia’s first café to accept cryptocurrency payments, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. The modern, minimalist venue offers a cozy atmosphere and serves high-quality coffee, teas, light meals, and snacks made fresh daily. Beyond its menu, the café provides educational resources and workshops on cryptocurrency.
Real Estate
Forsyth Real Estate (Lower North Shore, Sydney)
Forsyth is a leading real estate agency on Sydney’s North Shore, founded in 1898 and still owned and managed by the third and fourth generations of the Forsyth family.
Based in Willoughby, the agency serves the entire North Shore area and offers superior auction services, both on-site and in rooms, as well as private treaty sales. Forsyth has a highly experienced property management team and specialists in commercial leasing, sales, and valuations.
They accept cryptocurrency for advertising costs and even home deposits. Customers can choose Bitcoin as their payment method, and the transaction is processed through CoinJar’s payment gateway.
Entertainment
Jam’s Karaoke Bar (Sydney)
Jam’s Karaoke Bar is a welcoming spot to enjoy drinks, soul food, and great music with friends. They offer a genuine karaoke experience for all group sizes, featuring a public bar, kitchen, beer garden, and private karaoke rooms.
Jam’s also supports live music, hosts unforgettable events, and organizes both public and private functions. Jams Karaoke Bar in Sydney accepts Bitcoin and Ethereum.
BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park (NSW/QLD Border)
BIG4 Tweed Billabong is a holiday park on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, just 40 minutes from the Gold Coast and its theme parks.
The park is known for offering some of the best facilities in the country, including a stunning waterpark, a top-tier camp kitchen, and a unique tidal Billabong.
This holiday destination is dedicated to providing guests with an unforgettable experience. Visitors can pay for their stays using Bitcoin, Litecoin, or Binance Coin.
Travel
CheapAir (Online)
CheapAir, one of the largest online booking agencies, began accepting Bitcoin as a payment method in February 2014 through a partnership with Bitpay. Customers can book hotels and flights using Bitcoin. Currently, they only accept Bitcoin but plan to add other digital currencies, including DASH, LTC, and BCH, in the future.
Hotels and Accommodations
Aiyana Retreat (Denmark, WA)
Aiyana Retreat, located in Denmark, WA, is the first registered tourism accommodation in regional WA to accept Bitcoin. This luxury retreat offers self-contained villas, each with handmade furniture, high-quality linens, and wellness services designed to relax and rejuvenate guests. The retreat also provides massage and bodywork treatments through Aiyana Wellness.
Aiyana Retreat offers a unique getaway experience that connects guests to nature without sacrificing comfort. The retreat’s serene atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and luxurious escape.
Groceries
USA Foods (Melbourne)
A specialty store offering authentic American grocery products, including snacks, sauces, and cereals.
USA Foods accepts Bitcoin payments both in-store and online. In-store, you can pay with Bitcoin at their Moorabbin location by scanning the QR code at checkout using your mobile wallet.
For online purchases, select “Bitcoin with BTCPay Server” at checkout and follow the prompts to complete the payment. Online orders require one confirmation (~10 minutes) before processing, but Instant Payments (Lightning) are not supported online.
Currently, USA Foods only accepts Bitcoin and charges a network fee for each transaction to ensure fast processing. Instant payment fees through the Lightning Network are typically low.
Electronics and Tech
Another World Computer Centre (Coburg, VIC)
Another World is an Australian retailer that offers a wide range of technology products, from computers and accessories to Bitcoin and crypto mining equipment. They provide services such as computer sales, repairs, and a variety of tech components. The company is also an authorized dealer for various brands and products, including Leader Systems and TPG NBN.
Another World is recognized for its commitment to offering a broad selection of products and services, as well as providing support for cryptocurrency transactions.
Sports and Fitness
Glow Golf (Docklands, VIC)
This is a mini-golf venue offering a fun and unique indoor golfing experience. Glow Golf is a popular destination for families and groups to enjoy a fun game of miniature golf.
Glow Golf started accepting Bitcoin in 2014 through a peer-to-peer technology. It is among the few retailers to adopt this innovative payment method.
Furlani Fitness (Brisbane City, QLD)
Furlani Fitness offers a range of services, including personal training, group sessions, and tailored fitness programs. Furlani Fitness caters to individuals at all levels, helping them achieve their goals through personalized support. The gym prides itself on fostering a welcoming and motivating environment for its clients, ensuring each person receives the attention and expertise needed to succeed.
The fitness studio has embraced Bitcoin payments since 2016, consistently preferring it over fiat currency for all transactions.
Perth Heat (Perth, WA)
Perth Heat is a professional baseball team that adopted Bitcoin as its standard for payments and payouts in 2021. This was enabled by a collaboration with Bitcoin payments processor OpenNod.
“We hope our adoption of a Bitcoin standard will inspire others to embrace a monetary system that demands value creation to thrive.”
Steven Nelkovski, CEO, Perth Heat
Perth Heat confirmed they would now accept Bitcoin for sponsorships, merchandise, and ballpark concessions
Tips for Spending Cryptocurrency in Australia
Source: Freepik
Keep Records of Your Crypto Transactions for Tax Purposes
Tracking and maintaining accurate records of your cryptocurrency transactions is essential for tax reporting. In Australia, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) treats cryptocurrency as property, and transactions involving crypto are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Failing to properly record these transactions can lead to compliance issues, penalties, and difficulties during tax season.
Use Stablecoins for Transactions
Stablecoins are a practical choice for spending cryptocurrency. These digital currencies are pegged to stable assets, such as fiat currencies or commodities, minimizing price volatility. For example, Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), and Binance USD (BUSD) maintain a 1:1 ratio with the US Dollar, making them more predictable for transactions compared to Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Choose a Secure and Crypto-Friendly Platform
Selecting a secure and crypto-friendly platform is crucial for safeguarding your funds and ensuring smooth transactions. Cryptocurrencies are stored and transferred digitally, making them susceptible to hacking and scams if used on insecure platforms. A reliable platform protects your investments and provides a user-friendly experience for payments.
Use a Crypto Debit Card
Crypto debit cards make it easy to spend cryptocurrency in everyday transactions. They work similarly to traditional debit cards, but they access your cryptocurrency wallet instead of drawing funds from a bank account. These cards instantly convert crypto into fiat currency at the point of sale, allowing you to shop, pay bills, or withdraw cash from ATMs without needing the merchant to accept crypto directly.
Stay Secure and Informed
Maintaining security and staying informed is critical when spending cryptocurrency. The decentralized and digital nature of crypto transactions makes them vulnerable to scams, hacks, and fraud if proper precautions aren’t taken. Additionally, staying updated on market trends and regulatory changes can help you make informed decisions when spending your digital assets.
Popular Tools for Spending Crypto in Australia
Source: Freepik
Crypto Wallets
Crypto wallets are essential tools for managing and spending digital currencies. They enable users to store cryptocurrencies and make payments online securely. Crypto wallets like Trust Wallet and MetaMask enable you to store and spend digital currencies securely. They also allow integration with crypto payment platforms.
Crypto Debit Cards
Crypto debit cards allow direct spending of cryptocurrencies without prior conversion to fiat. For instance, Upay offers a globally accepted card that you can use for in-store transactions, cash withdrawals, and online shopping. It supports multiple cryptocurrencies and allows direct spending at Visa-compatible merchants.
Payment Platforms
Crypto payment platforms simplify the process of using cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions. They act as intermediaries, allowing users to spend their digital assets seamlessly, even with businesses that may not directly accept crypto. These platforms ensure smooth transactions by converting crypto into fiat currencies when needed or integrating payment gateways directly.
Challenges of Spending Crypto in Australia
Source: Freepik
There is a wide range of businesses to spend your cryptocurrencies in Australia, however, there are still some barriers to this. Here are some of the challenges of spending crypto in Australia:
Crypto Is Not a Legal Tender
In Australia, cryptocurrency is not recognized as legal tender, meaning it is not an official form of payment required by law to settle debts. Without the status of legal tender, transactions made using cryptocurrency are not protected by the same laws that govern traditional currencies. For example, if a dispute arises over a payment made in cryptocurrency, there may be fewer consumer protections available.
Volatility
One of the biggest challenges when spending cryptocurrency in Australia is its inherent volatility. Cryptocurrencies are known for their dramatic price fluctuations, which can make them risky for everyday transactions and financial planning. For example, a coffee purchased for $5 in Bitcoin today might cost $6 or $4 tomorrow. Volatility creates a level of uncertainty for both buyers and merchants.
Regulatory Landscape
The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency in Australia is still evolving. While the Australian government has taken steps to regulate certain aspects of crypto use, such as taxation and anti-money laundering (AML) laws, there is no comprehensive framework that fully addresses the complexities of digital currencies. The lack of clear, consistent regulation poses challenges for both businesses and consumers when it comes to using cryptocurrency for transactions.
Security Concerns
Security is one of the most significant challenges when spending cryptocurrency in Australia. While cryptocurrencies offer a decentralized and often more private form of payment, they also come with inherent risks. With the increasing popularity of crypto, cybercrime targeting crypto holders and users has risen. This makes security a key consideration for Australians looking to use cryptocurrency for transactions.
Conclusion
Cryptocurrency spending in Australia continues to grow as individuals and businesses increasingly embrace digital currencies. The adoption rate, particularly among younger generations like Gen Z, highlights the changing payment preferences and willingness to explore new technologies. Businesses across industries—healthcare, food, travel, real estate, and retail—are integrating crypto payments to meet this rising demand and attract tech-savvy customers.
Australia’s crypto ecosystem is also supported by tools like wallets, debit cards, and payment platforms, making it easier for users to manage and spend their digital assets. However, challenges persist. Volatility, tax obligations, regulatory uncertainty, and security concerns remain significant barriers to mainstream crypto adoption.
Despite these challenges, the increasing number of businesses accepting cryptocurrency reflects a broader shift toward innovation in payment systems.
FAQs
- How can I pay using cryptocurrency?
You can use crypto wallets, debit cards (e.g., Upay), or crypto payment platforms to complete transactions.
- Are there any tax implications when using cryptocurrency?
Yes, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) treats cryptocurrency as property, meaning transactions are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Keep accurate records of your transactions.
- How can I stay secure while spending cryptocurrency?
You can stay secure while spending cryptocurrency by using trusted platforms, and secure wallets, and by enabling multi-factor authentication. Avoid sharing private keys or sensitive wallet details.
- Can I withdraw cash using cryptocurrency?
Yes, with a crypto debit card, you can convert cryptocurrency to fiat currency and withdraw cash at ATMs.
