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Rachel Wolfson
Reporter
Rachel Wolfson
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Why Trust Cryptonews
Key Takeaways:
- Luxury brands are increasingly embracing cryptocurrency as an alternative payment method to stay ahead in a tech-driven market.
- The shift targets a growing demographic of tech-savvy and crypto-invested customers seeking modern, seamless buying experiences.
- Crypto payments offer benefits like lower fees, instant settlements, and enhanced security compared to conventional methods.
- This trend paves the way for integrating emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain, potentially reshaping premium commerce.
Several luxury retailers reported a surge in cryptocurrency payments between mid-2023 and early 2024, reflecting changing spending habits among crypto holders.
From high-end furniture to expensive watches, merchants across multiple sectors have tracked increased Bitcoin and altcoin transactions for premium products.
Bitcoin Payments For Luxury Interior Design
For example, the globally renowned luxury furniture and interior design brand Juliettes Interiors reported a rise in Bitcoin (BTC) payments.
Juliette Thomas, founder of Juliettes Interiors, told Cryptonews that the retailer began offering BTC payments in 2016.
Yet the online luxury furniture marketplace has witnessed a noticeable rise in BTC payments over the past 12-18 months.
“Since BTC has increased substantially in value it makes purchasing power a huge advantage for those who are prepared to invest in the currency medium term,” Thomas said. “We’ve also found that clients who invest in crypto often seek luxury goods and experiences that reflect their lifestyle.”
Thomas shared that high-end purchases – such as bespoke furniture or interior design projects – have increased considerably during the most recent Bitcoin bull-run.
Crypto Payments Increase Across Luxury Sectors
Thomas added that crypto payments are becoming more evident across other luxury sectors, including real estate, fine art, and fashion.
This trend extends to high-end watch collecting as well. Sean Parsons, CEO and co-founder of luxury watch marketplace Kettle, told Cryptonews that there has been a modest uptick in Bitcoin payments across the platform.
Parsons added that many of Kettle’s crypto-based transactions also come from ecosystems like Solana or Ethereum.
“From our users’ perspective, BTC is still primarily treated as a store of value, which makes people less inclined to spend it on high-end goods,” Parsons said. “In contrast, more active traders on chains like SOL and ETH are comfortable spending their gains on luxury items.”
To accommodate all crypto holders, Kettle recently integrated DeBridge to enable cross-chain payments.
Parsons shared that Kettle has done over $30 million in total volume since launching in March 2024.
Crypto Payments Drive Luxury Market Growth
The rise in crypto payments for luxury items extends beyond price action and lifestyle.
Justin Banon, founder of Boson Protocol and Fermion Protocol, told Cryptonews that crypto makes an excellent payment method for luxury items for several key reasons.
“The luxury sector faces a slowdown, while crypto is experiencing a resurgence in legitimacy and popularity – especially following the recent US presidential election,” Banon said.
Banon believes that crypto payments are a perfect opportunity for luxury brands to tap into as a growth area for new avenues for expansion.
“A significant demographic of Web3-savvy, crypto-rich consumers (predominantly Gen Z and Alpha) represents an untapped market,” he said. “These individuals hold substantial wealth in crypto wallets, but have had limited options to spend it outside the crypto ecosystem.”
Banon noted that this demographic now seeks authentic Web3 experiences – like those offered by non-fungible tokens (NFT) – making luxury brands that accept crypto directly more appealing and relevant to this audience.
Brands and Department Store Adopt Crypto Payments
While the concept is still relatively new, brands like Rolex and Ferrari have begun accepting crypto payments.
Major department stores across the world are also introducing crypto payments.
Metro, a popular department store chain in Singapore, has partnered with Dtcpay to introduce stablecoin payments.
Metro customers will soon be able to make purchases using stablecoins such as Tether’s USDT, Circle’s USDC, and WUSD from the Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network.
It was also recently announced that upscale French luxury department store Printemps would soon accept Bitcoin and Ethereum payments.
The retailer has teamed up with the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, and French financial tech company Lyzi to start accepting cryptocurrency transactions.
Justin Gainsley, Coinbase Commerce Lead, told Cryptonews that luxury merchants also continue to embrace Coinbase Commerce.
“High-ticket sellers especially benefit from lower fees, no chargebacks, and instant settlement – all key advantages over credit cards and legacy payment rails,” Gainsley said. “Some even offer crypto discounts, underscoring its growing appeal in luxury ecommerce.”
He added that Coinbase Commerce has seen increased interest among buyers to spend crypto at their favorite merchants, especially during the most recent crypto bull run.
How Crypto Payments Will Evolve
Daniel M Wagner, CEO of Rezolve Ai – an AI-powered commerce solution – told Cryptonews that crypto payments are further undergoing an evolution driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
Wagner shared that Rezolve Ai recently launched a $1 billion Bitcoin Treasury program to lay the foundation for an AI-driven crypto payment platform.
“The program is more than simply holding Bitcoin though – it’s about creating a robust financial infrastructure that supports seamless crypto transactions for retailers,” Wagner said.
The new product is designed with support from stablecoin issuer, Tether (USDT).
Rezolve Ai will integrate WDK (Wallet Development Kit) by Tether, which is an open-source crypto wallet library, into its platform to establish cryptocurrency as a mainstream payment method for everyday purchases.
The integration will allow users to purchase groceries, meals, and transport with a single tap.
Wagner added that AI is at the core of this initiative, as the platform leverages AI to provide real-time crypto-to-fiat conversions.
This will ensure that merchants receive payments in their preferred currency instantly and without exposure to price fluctuations.
“Additionally, AI enhances transaction security, optimizes payment routing, and delivers actionable insights to retailers, helping them better understand customer behavior and preferences,” he said.
Wagner pointed out that the combination of AI and blockchain technology will make crypto payments as simple and reliable as traditional payment methods, driving further adoption across the retail sector.
Gainsley added that stablecoins will also drive crypto payment growth. He shared that since early 2024, USDC payments on Coinbase Commerce have grown over 3.5x as a share of total transactions.
“This reflects a meaningful shift toward practical, low-volatility on-chain payments,” he said.” “This also demonstrates the broader trend of stablecoin activity accelerating despite crypto market cyclicality, which we’re excited to see.”
Crypto Payments Increase Overall
While crypto payments are being used more often to pay for luxury items, the overall cryptocurrency payment sector is experiencing growth.
As the global cryptocurrency payment apps market grows from $545.4 million in 2021 toward its projected 16.6% compound annual growth rate through 2030, the luxury goods sector appears positioned at the intersection of digital currency adoption and premium commerce.
The emergence of AI-powered solutions and stablecoin integration suggests that crypto transactions for high-value purchases may become increasingly mainstream, potentially reshaping how consumers interact with premium brands in the digital economy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
By offering an alternative, secure, and frictionless payment method, luxury brands are tapping into a market of consumers who value both technological innovation and exclusivity. Industry experts note that this digital shift enables a more personalized and rapid transaction process, ultimately enriching the customer journey.
Key challenges include managing cryptocurrency volatility, navigating varying regulatory environments, and ensuring robust security measures. Additionally, retailers must invest in education and infrastructure to facilitate smooth conversions between crypto and fiat currencies, thereby mitigating financial risks.
Integrating AI-driven real-time conversion and blockchain transparency can streamline transaction processes, bolster security, and provide actionable consumer insights. This combination not only optimizes operational efficiency but also deepens customer trust and engagement, potentially setting new standards in premium commerce.
