More and more e-merchants want to integrate Bitcoin as a means of payment. However, paying in Bitcoin on eBay is currently impossible, despite the company’s ambivalent stance on the subject. While there are currently a few ways to allow some people to spend their Bitcoin on eBay, there is still a long way to go before you can order your items by simply entering the address of your wallet.
However, it is interesting to look at eBay’s position to understand this resistance, which is accompanied by an open-mindedness as obvious as it is paradoxical on the part of the company’s managers on the subject.
Bitcoin and eBay, the history
Since 2012, the eBay company has shown a strong interest in crypto money, and filed a patent in June with the aim of launching its own crypto money. Validated in December 2013 by the American authorities, the project was then described as a way to “make gifts in the form of secure tokens”, which could then be used on PayPal (which is, incidentally, part of the eBay company).
Asked about Bitcoin, eBay CEO John Donahoe told the Financial Times on November 3, 2013 that “virtual currency is on the verge of becoming something very powerful”.
Throughout 2014, the management team regularly mentions its desire to integrate Bitcoin as a payment method on the platform. However, these words are never followed by deeds and more than once leave the crypto-ecosystem hungry.
The opening of a “virtual currency” category at the beginning of 2014, where customers can buy mining equipment, collectibles and wallets, however, has confirmed eBay’s willingness to take cryptomoney seriously. It is also possible to buy and sell bitcoins and altcoins directly on the platform.
Since 2014, multiple rumors have been circulating about the probable addition of Bitcoin as a means of payment on the platform. These rumors have been systematically denied, but eBay continues to appear as one of the most open companies on the subject. The company has been a partner of the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance since June 2018.
Although cryptomoney is not officially offered as a means of payment on eBay, there are a few tricks to be able to spend your bitcoins to obtain items from the platform. For this, it is necessary to use third-party services, such as eBay gift card providers or matchmaking platforms.
Paying in Bitcoin on eBay with gift cards
Bitrefill
Bitrefill is a provider of cryptomoney gift cards based in Stockholm. Bitrefill’s gift cards can be spent at a wide range of retailers including Nike, REI, GameStop and Petco, Amazon, Hotels.com, Steam, eBay and more. Recently, Bitrefill also added support for IKEA and announced support for AirBnB and Netflix subscriptions for US and European users.
Bitrefill’s eBay gift cards can be purchased with Bitcoin, Lightning, Dash, Dogecoin, Litecoin or Ethereum. Unfortunately, Bitrefill only offers eBay gift cards for US residents.
If you are located in the USA, you will therefore be able to buy eBay gift cards with your Bitcoin. Bitrefill is a provider of encrypted cash gift cards based in Stockholm. Bitrefill’s gift cards can be spent at a wide range of retailers including Nike, REI, GameStop and Petco, Amazon, Hotels.com, Steam, eBay and more. Recently, Bitrefill also added support for IKEA and announced support for AirBnB and Netflix subscriptions for US and European users.
Bitrefill’s eBay gift cards can be purchased with Bitcoin, Lightning, Dash, Dogecoin, Litecoin or Ethereum. Unfortunately, Bitrefill only offers eBay gift cards for US residents.
If you are located in the USA, you will therefore be able to buy eBay gift cards with your Bitcoin. These never expire and can be used at any time.
eGifter
Based in Huntington, eGifter offers online gift cards for more than 200 brands: eBay, Banana Republic, GameStop, Toys R Us, CVS, Fandngo, Amazon… Some can be purchased in Bitcoin.
However, most eGifter gift cards are valid only in the United States. This is especially the case for eBay gift cards: to spend an eBay gift card from eGifter, you will need to have an eBay account registered in the USA and have a US shipping address, just like for Bitrefill.
Paxful
We know the Paxful platform to allow the exchange of bitcoins and altcoins in peer-to-peer. But this platform also allows to put individuals in contact with each other to buy or sell Bitcoin in exchange for gift cards. Sellers and buyers from all over the world can be connected to exchange your Bitcoin for an eBay gift card.
Before you make your transaction, make sure that the gift card you purchase can be used in the country where you live.
Conclusion
Shopping on eBay is probably not the easiest way to spend your Bitcoins. Today, there are many more opportunities to pay for Bitcoins on Amazon than on eBay. Given the company’s ambivalent stance on the subject, however, we may be tempted to think that this possibility will be offered to users of the platform within a few years.
Are you ready to accept bitcoin payments on your business? Contact us today. Our experienced team waits for you.
