Top Industries Where People Spend Their Crypto

Today, millions of people around the world are using Bitcoin, stablecoins, and other digital currencies to buy the services they use every day.

The reasons for accepting cryptocurrency payments are clear: crypto is fast, borderless, private, and often cheaper than traditional methods. In industries that serve global, digital-first audiences, it’s becoming a default option rather than a novelty.

So where exactly do people spend their crypto the most? Let’s look at the top industries leading the way.

It’s always the right time to start using crypto and stablecoins in your line of work. Take the first step and sign up for a CoinGate account.

VPN Services

VPNs are among the most purchased services with crypto. The overlap is obvious: both are tools for privacy and freedom online.

For customers, paying for a VPN with crypto means they don’t need to share card details or banking information with multiple intermediaries. It’s a layer of pseudonymity that matches the very reason they’re using a VPN in the first place.

For providers, crypto unlocks a global customer base. Some users live in regions where international card payments don’t work well – or where banks block payments to VPN services altogether. With Bitcoin or stablecoins, payments flow seamlessly, and providers can onboard customers instantly.

The result? VPNs and crypto payments are a natural match, and adoption is only growing. For example, NordVPN reports collecting crypto payments from customers in 176 countries and seeing the average crypto payment count grow by 13% yearly. 

Find the list of top crypto-friendly VPNs or check out our merchant directory for more options.

VPS, Hosting & RDP Services

In the hosting industry, speed matters. Developers, gamers, and companies often need new servers deployed immediately. But traditional payment rails – bank transfers that take days or card payments that fail internationally – create friction.

Crypto solves this problem. Payments settle within minutes, allowing service providers to activate accounts right away. This is particularly important for:

• Freelancers and developers who don’t want to wait on banking delays or reveal private information to multiple 3rd parties.
• Businesses scaling fast that need new servers on demand.
• Gamers and streamers who want quick access without sharing sensitive payment details.

Hosting companies also benefit from lower transaction costs compared to cross-border banking fees. For international users, crypto is often the easiest way to pay. Among the crypto-friendly VPS and hostings, companies like Hostinger and Cherry Servers stand out. 

Find more VPS providers that accept crypto in another article or check the merchant directory page dedicated to hostings and VPS.

Proxy Providers

Proxy services are another industry where crypto payments shine. Just like VPN users, proxy customers tend to be tech-savvy, global, and often value privacy.

Recurring subscriptions are a big part of the proxy business. With crypto, renewals are easy, and stablecoins ensure predictable payments without worrying about exchange rate fluctuations.

For providers, this means fewer failed transactions and the ability to serve customers in markets where traditional payments aren’t available. For customers, it’s a payment option that aligns with their needs for security and accessibility.

It’s no surprise that many proxy companies already see a large share of orders paid in crypto. In one of our case studies, PingProxies mentioned that 26.4% of their customers now choose crypto for payments. Even more impressively, PlainProxies disclosed that up to 50% of all customer payments are now processed through crypto.

Here’s the list of the best proxy providers that accept crypto and even more – in our merchant directory.

Online Marketing & Advertising

The marketing and advertising industry is inherently global. Agencies often work with clients across different continents, and platforms need to accept payments from startups, individuals, and businesses regardless of where they’re based.

The problem is, traditional banking systems aren’t designed for this. International wires are slow, expensive, and come with unnecessary compliance hurdles. PayPal isn’t supported in many regions. Card payments are prone to chargebacks.

Crypto provides a practical solution:

• Faster settlements – payments clear in minutes, not days.
• Lower fees – especially compared to international transfers.
• Global reach – clients can pay from anywhere, without banking restrictions.

This makes stablecoins particularly attractive. They combine the efficiency of crypto with the stability of fiat value, making them ideal for cross-border business transactions.

For agencies and platforms, crypto payments reduce friction and speed up collaboration with international clients – something traditional banking often slows down. 

That’s exactly what the ad network Coinzilla reports – using CoinGate’s automated crypto deposit and payout tools, the company managed to streamline their payment system and satisfy international clients while avoiding banking hurdles and manual work. 

Other Popular Segments

While VPNs, hosting, proxies, and marketing stand out, there are other segments where crypto spending is strong.

• Gaming: Players purchase in-game credits, skins, and subscriptions with crypto. It’s fast, global, and often the only option for players without access to traditional payment methods.
• Gift cards: Gift card marketplaces allow people to spend crypto indirectly at virtually any retailer – from e-commerce giants to local stores. It’s one of the most versatile ways to use digital assets in daily life.
• Telecom: VoIP and international calling services attract users who value cheap cross-border connections. Crypto makes it easy to top up accounts instantly, no matter where the customer is located. For companies like MoreMins, accepting crypto payments resulted in a 10% sales increase.

These industries all share the same traits: global reach, digital products, and the need for instant, borderless transactions.

Why These Industries Lead the Way

Looking across all these sectors, the same themes repeat themselves:

• Global customers: Businesses serve users in dozens of countries, where traditional banking doesn’t always work.
• Privacy and security: Many customers prefer not to share card or banking details.
• Speed: Digital-first industries thrive on instant access, and crypto delivers it.
• Subscription models: Crypto payments – especially with stablecoins – make renewals smoother.
• Banking restrictions: Where banks create friction, crypto provides a reliable alternative.

In short, these are industries where crypto is often the best option.

Final Thoughts

Crypto spending is no longer niche. It’s already part of everyday life for millions of users worldwide, especially in industries that operate online and across borders.

VPNs, hosting, proxies, and marketing platforms are leading the way, proving that accepting crypto is not about the future – it’s about meeting customer demand right now.

At CoinGate, we help businesses tap into this demand by making crypto payments simple. Whether it’s Bitcoin, stablecoins, or dozens of other digital assets, our tools allow companies to accept payments, manage settlements, and grow their global reach. Keen to try? Sign up.