Nowadays you can buy a wide range of web services using crypto, including snagging the perfect domain for your website. Since the process is fast and efficient, multiple forward-thinking registrars and domain name brokers accept crypto payments. Let’s take a look at how it works.
How to buy domains with crypto
When it comes to buying domains with crypto, there are two main methods you can use:
- Buy a domain with crypto straight from your wallet
- Use your BitPay Card to buy a domain from any provider that accepts Mastercard
Registrars and domain brokers that accept crypto payments
Paying for domains with crypto has become incredibly easy. Today more domain brokers and registrars than ever accept direct crypto payments. BitPay works with several trusted registrars and internet services companies.
Altus Host
European web services provider offering a range of web services including hosting and domain registration across the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Serbia.
HOSTKEY
Web services company offering an array of dedicated web servers, from entry-level options up through high-performance GPU servers and private cloud solutions. Its servers are hosted in TIER III data centers in the U.S. and the Netherlands.
Vultr
Vultr offers standardized, highly reliable, high-performance cloud compute environments to users worldwide, with datacenters strategically positioned at 27 global sites.
Gandi
Web services company providing domains, web hosting, email and SSL certificates with more than 20 years in business and employees spanning 3 continents.
Namecheap
U.S.-based budget domain name and web hosting provider with more than 10 million domains and 11 million registered users.
Paying a domain registration invoice directly from your wallet
BitPay makes paying for domains with crypto quick, easy and secure. Once you’ve found the perfect domain name, here’s how to pay your invoice.
Step 1: At checkout, select BitPay as your payment method.
BitPay is the safest and most secure way to pay online.
Step 2: Select Begin Payment.
Depending on the merchant you are paying or the transaction amount, you may be prompted to verify for BitPay ID. Don’t have a BitPay ID? Sign up to get started. BitPay ID is a simple way to manage your payments information with BitPay and simplify logins for multiple BitPay products. All that is required is an email and password. The one-time verification requirement is for people making BitPay merchant or prepaid payments of $3,000+, initiating refund requests for amounts of $1000+, or receiving BitPay payouts.
Step 3: Select your wallet.
BitPay supports over 100 of the most popular cryptocurrency wallets.
Step 4: Select your cryptocurrency.
BitPay supports the most popular cryptocurrencies. We are constantly evaluating and adding more. You may be asked to enter your email address if you did not already sign in with your BitPay ID. Your email will be used to receive payment information and process refunds.
Step 5: Scan the QR code with your wallet app or input the merchant’s receiving wallet info manually into your wallet to complete the transaction.
You’ll see the payment reflected on the invoice instantly once you validate the payment in your wallet. Remember to send your payment during the 15-minute payment window.
How to use the BitPay Card to pay for domains
The BitPay Card makes spending crypto as easy as a swipe wherever your travels take you. It can be used anywhere in the world Mastercard is accepted, including with registrars or domain brokers. All you have to do is load your card with the BitPay Wallet app and you’re ready to spend at millions of global merchants. The BitPay Card offers a convenient alternative to paying directly from your wallet, allowing you to buy domains using crypto even if your broker of choice doesn’t accept direct crypto payments or the registrar doesn’t accept your preferred token.
Which cryptocurrencies can I use to pay for domains?
Many domain brokers and registrars accept direct crypto payments, however the specific coins they’re willing to take will vary by provider. It’s likely you’ll easily find domain registrars that accept “blue chip” cryptos like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), but you might have to search a bit if you’re looking to transact in smaller or more niche coins. BitPay supports payments made with the follow cryptocurrencies:
Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), Litecoin (LTC), ApeCoin (APE), Polygon (MATIC), Dai (DAI), USD Coin (USDC), Binance USD (BUSD), Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), Pax Dollar (USDP), Gemini Dollar (GUSD) and Euro Coin (EUROC). We are constantly evaluating and adding support for new coins.
Which wallets can I use to pay for domains with crypto?
You can pay for domains with nearly any crypto wallet. BitPay supports a wide range of crypto wallets, including the BitPay Wallet, Trezor, Electrum, Ledger, Coinbase, Kraken, Bitcoin Core, Trust Wallet and nearly 100 others. A more complete listing of the wallets BitPay supports can be found right here.
Want the best crypto wallet for payments?
Benefits of buying a domain with crypto
Paying for domains with crypto is easy, and there are a number of compelling reasons for doing so.
Prioritizing privacy
It’s virtually impossible to identify the participants in a crypto transaction. For those who take privacy seriously, buying a domain name with cryptocurrency will help keep your personal information secure and stay anonymous.
Cheaper and faster payments
Registrars and domain brokers operate across the globe. When you buy a domain with Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency, you’ll avoid (or significantly reduce) exorbitant wire transfer or credit card transaction fees (plus have the transaction processed in minutes).
No bank account needed
No bank account? No problem! Maybe you don’t have a traditional checking account, or perhaps you simply don’t want to share your banking info with a third party. Whatever the case, you can easily buy domain names with crypto instead.
Other services you can pay for with crypto
Now you know how easy it is to buy your next domain with crypto. But there’s a wide variety of other web services you can also pay for with crypto, including:
Servers
Web servers store and protect your website’s data, and display content to site visitors. Those storage fees can add up, depending on your website traffic, so it’s convenient to have the option to pay in crypto.
Web Hosting
Web hosting services manage site files and provide a platform for businesses or individuals to publish content on the internet. Learn about buying web hosting with crypto.
VPNs
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow users to obscure their identity and location by creating a private network within a regular public network. Anonymity is a key feature of both VPNs and cryptocurrency, so naturally there are numerous VPN services that accept crypto payments.
DDoS protection
Protect your website from hacks and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks with an automatic security monitoring service, paid for with crypto.
