12 Of The Most Luxurious Items You Can Buy With Crypto
Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have become almost household names, with people across the world expressing interest in investing in crypto. These currencies hold high value, and more and more luxury brands are embracing cryptocurrency payments.
Whether you’re browsing a presale crypto list to see which currencies are about to take off, or holding some Bitcoin in your wallet and you’re unsure what to do with it, here are the 12 most luxurious items you can spend your current or future crypto investments on.
1. Cars
Many crypto holders may have heard the phrase “When Lambo?”. This term is used in the crypto community to ask the question, “When will a crypto investor be rich enough to afford a Lamborghini”.
To the delight of many, the term became a reality in 2017 when YouTuber Peter Saddington purchased a Lamborghini Huracan for 45 Bitcoins.
More luxury car brands have jumped on the crypto wagon, with Tesla the latest to sell cars in exchange for Dogecoin.
Several third-party websites also sell luxury vehicles for cryptocurrencies, like CryptoAutos and BitCars.
2. Luxury Watches and Jewelry
Flashy jewelry and watches are a popular choice for crypto holders There are many dealers across the world and online that allow customers to purchase luxury assets in exchange for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Although the watch and jewelry brands themselves do not often accept digital currency, resellers like Luxury Watches USA and Prestige Time do accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC. It allows holders to wear the most expensive watches from brands like Patek Philippe and Rolex.
When it comes to jewelry, REEDS Jewelers sells accessories, diamonds, and watches and allows customers to pay with Bitcoin.
3. Real Estate
Cryptocurrencies enable holders to purchase luxury real estate. Transactions involving crypto have increased in popularity across the world. Whether a holder wants to buy a beachside bungalow in Panama, a chalet in the Swizz Alps, or even an entire private island, real estate investors can now use crypto wallets for transactions.
Initially, most sellers required buyers to first convert their crypto into the local currency, but an increasing number of realtors are starting to accept crypto payments.
It has also become possible to pay off a mortgage using a crypto wallet. The transparency of the blockchain network and the fast transaction speeds make it a secure and traceable option for homeowners.
Platforms like RealOpen and Crypto Real Estate are frontrunners when it comes to buying and selling property with crypto.
4. Art and Collectibles
Whether you want a Dali, Picasso, or Monet, your crypto holdings may just allow you to purchase a collectible artwork. Auction houses, like Sotheby’s, have started to accept crypto payments.
Sotheby’s announcement to accept crypto made headlines when two artworks from contemporary artist Banksy were sold in 2021 for 3,093 ETC, which amounts to over $10 million today.
This is also not the first time Banksy and the blockchain were linked. Earlier in 2021, a Banksy piece titled Morons was sold as an NFT and set on fire at auction.
Apart from art, auction houses and antique stores are also selling sports memorabilia, classic cars, and even vintage wines for crypto.
5. Private Airplanes
The rich and famous love their private jets, and this holds true for wealthy crypto owners too. The first private plane sold for Bitcoin was in 2014 when a jet sold for 54.95 Bitcoins (around $480,000 today).
SkyCraft Airplanes and Aviatrade today allow crypto investors to purchase private planes using digital currencies.
6. Yachts
Yachts are synonymous with the wealthiest individuals, and today Bitcoin billionaires can also indulge. Yacht brokerage companies have embraced crypto payments, allowing investors to purchase bespoke luxury vessels. Two companies in the US that offer this service are Dennison Yachting and 26 North Yachts.
Those who don’t want the responsibility of a yacht but still want to travel the sea can also use Bitcoin to rent fancy boats for charter through companies like Prime Experiences.
7. Sporting and Event Tickets
As more companies are embracing crypto transactions, the sports and event industry is not willing to be left behind.
In the US, Sacramento Kings (NBA) and Oakland A’s (major league baseball) became the first sports franchises to sell matchday tickets for crypto, and the Dallas Mavericks quickly followed suit.
Most recently the San Jose Sharks (NHL) are also accepting Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin for event tickets.
Other event companies are also starting to be more open to crypto payments. Software companies involved in selling tickets, like Copperx, TicketSocket, and Oveit are all willing to partner with event organizers to sell tickets for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
8. An Education from a Top University
Talk to anyone in the US with a college education and they will tell you how expensive it is, which is why a university education can almost be considered a luxury in modern times.
Bitcoin has made waves in the education sector across the world, with top universities now accepting this cryptocurrency as a form of payment. Cyprus’ University of Nicosia was possibly the first to take this step back in 2013, with King’s College (US) embracing crypto in 2014.
Around 45 universities across the world have been identified as accepting crypto, including Flinders University (Aus), University of Pennsylvania (US), and almost all the major universities in El Salvador.
9. A Ticket To Space
Both SpaceX and Virgin Galactic have made it possible for individuals not trained as astronauts to head into space. And the latter has realized the convenience of crypto, and allow budding spacemen to purchase tickets to outer space using Bitcoin. This was seen in practice when the Winklevoss twins (the world’s first bitcoin billionaires) bought a ticket with Virgin Galactic in 2014 using Bitcoin.
10. Insurance
Although not necessarily a luxury “item”, insurance is much needed for all the other items on this list that you can purchase using crypto.
In 2021, AXA announced that it would accept Bitcoin for all insurance types excluding life insurance. Quote-provider Insurance Panda has also announced that several smaller insurance agencies are accepting crypto for auto insurance policies.
Other insurance providers reportedly accepting crypto for premiums include Metromile and Premier Shield Insurance.
11. Michelin-Star Meal
Bitcoin holders can dine at some of the fanciest restaurants and spend their crypto when the cheque arrives.
Michelin-star Chef Marvin Gauci from Malta set the trend in motion in 2022 when he announced via a Tweet (now X) that he would accept Bitcoin at all his fine-dining establishments.
Many other luxury restaurants have since started providing diners the option to pay with crypto.
12. Gift Cards For Luxury Retailers
Hundreds of online platforms allow customers to purchase gift cards using crypto. These gift cards can then be redeemed at thousands of retailers. Most cryptocurrencies are accepted on these platforms, and service providers like BitPay are teaming up with luxury retailers to increase their service offerings.
