Trust

How We Verify Vendors

Every business in our directory is checked against a set of criteria. This page explains how the verification works and what each status means.

The four payment types

  • Direct BTC — the vendor accepts Bitcoin directly to their own wallet, on-chain.
  • Lightning Network — the vendor accepts Bitcoin via the Lightning Network (instant, near-zero fee).
  • Gift Card Route — the vendor doesn't take BTC directly, but you can buy a gift card for them with BTC via a third-party platform.
  • Processor Route — the vendor takes BTC at checkout via a payment processor (BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, CoinGate, NOWPayments, etc.).

Verification statuses

✅ Confirmed Active

We've personally tested a payment or confirmed via the vendor's official documentation, support team, or press release that they accept Bitcoin. We re-verify on a rolling 90-day basis.

✅ Confirmed (via Bitrefill / CoinGate / etc.)

The vendor is listed as a partner or supported merchant on a known platform (e.g. Bitrefill, CoinGate). We check the platform directly.

✅ Verified - [Processor]

Confirmed via a specific payment processor's public merchant directory (BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, CoinGate, NOWPayments).

Varies / —

The vendor is reachable via the gift card route but the availability of BTC payment depends on the platform. We don't guarantee a clean checkout experience.

How we check

  • We visit the vendor's website and look for a Bitcoin payment option, a BitPay/CoinGate/Coinbase Commerce button, or an announcement.
  • We cross-reference with processor merchant directories (BitPay, CoinGate, Coinbase Commerce, NOWPayments) and gift card platforms (Bitrefill, Coinsbee, Cryptorefills, Gyft).
  • We do real test transactions where possible (small amounts via Lightning for venues that support it).
  • We re-check the directory quarterly and remove or downgrade vendors that have stopped accepting BTC.

What we don't do

  • We don't list vendors purely on hearsay or social media claims.
  • We don't accept payment to include or rank a vendor.
  • We don't guarantee a vendor's continued acceptance of Bitcoin. Always confirm at checkout.

Found an error?

If a vendor is listed incorrectly, has stopped accepting Bitcoin, or accepts BTC but isn't in the directory, please submit a correction.

Related guides

Browse vendors
Submit a business
Affiliate disclosure

Get the weekly Bitcoin spending digest

New vendors, fresh guides, and Lightning tips. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.