The idea of paying for vacations in crypto, once marginal, is becoming established in the European landscape. A recent survey conducted by Bitget, an exchange platform and major Web3 player, highlights a strong trend: crypto is attracting more and more travelers despite technical and regulatory obstacles. And the numbers speak for themselves.
According to the study, more than 85% of European users surveyed have already used or plan to use crypto to fund their vacations. The most common uses concern daily expenses on-site (nearly 59%), accommodation (58.59%), and transportation (55.15%).
This trend fits into a broader context where major industry players, such as Tether, are strengthening their presence in financial markets, even overtaking Germany on Treasury bonds with 120 billion dollars in assets .
This phenomenon is not accidental. The advantages are multiple: avoiding currency exchange fees, benefiting from fast and secure transactions, and preserving confidentiality during payments. In Germany and Poland, the search for anonymity is particularly strong, while in Italy, interest in technological innovation is paramount.
Generation Z stands out for its attention to transaction costs, whereas Generation X favors practicality, especially in remote areas. Hence, there is a cross-generational adoption, each finding in crypto an answer to their specific needs.
Despite this enthusiasm, 58% of respondents point to the low acceptance of cryptos by tourism stakeholders as the main obstacle. While solutions like Bitrefill or Entravel already allow indirect payment for services on Hotels.com or Airbnb, direct crypto payment remains rare.
Price volatility also worries 42% of respondents, while regulatory uncertainty particularly slows the French market. In Eastern Europe, security concerns dominate.
In this context, stablecoins stand out, favored by 67% of travelers. Their stable value makes them an ideal tool for everyday transactions, far ahead of bitcoin (45%), which is nonetheless appreciated thanks to innovations like the Lightning Network.
As Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget , summarizes:
Crypto users are primarily looking for practical applications. Travel is among universal needs, and we are working to make this experience smoother, more efficient, and secure.
While adoption is not yet total, 91% of respondents believe it will be easier to pay for vacations in cryptocurrencies in the coming years. Bitget sees in this trend proof that digital assets are no longer just an investment tool but also a concrete way to simplify everyday life.