Cryptocurrency is moving beyond speculative investment and becoming part of daily spending, according to a new global report. The report also revealed that gaming is one of the top drivers of this shift, with users increasingly utilising digital assets for real-world transactions.
The PayFi Unlocked: Crypto Payment Use Cases report, published by Bitget Wallet, surveyed 4,599 users. Its main finding is that “As digital asset adoption matures, conversation is shifting toward utility.”
From holding to spending
Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet, said the focus now is on reducing friction. “What matters most now is removing friction — streamlining the user journey so that crypto payments feel as intuitive as fiat. Crypto’s future isn’t just on-chain — it’s on the ground.”
“Crypto is no longer just held or traded — it’s being spent. From groceries and game credits to education and travel, users increasingly expect crypto to function as everyday money, choosing digital assets for fast, simple, and practical transactions,” he added. This reflects the growing demand for wallets that support spending, not just storage or trading.
As for Forest Bai, Co-founder of Foresight Ventures, payments is an important vertical. “As digital assets transition to real-world infrastructure, we believe payments will emerge as one of the most transformative and investable verticals over the next decade.”
“Blockchain-based payments have already proven to be a foundational use case for crypto,” Bai added, citing year-over-year growth in both retail and enterprise usage.
Gaming among top global use cases
The survey shows that gaming (36 percent), daily purchases (35 percent), and travel bookings (35 percent) are the leading crypto payment interests worldwide. Gaming’s position reflects how mobile-first environments and digital wallets align with the adoption of cryptocurrency. In many markets, in-app purchases and QR code payments are already standard, making gaming a natural use case for these technologies.
Generational divide in usage
The report also outlines different behaviours across age groups. For Gen Z (18–29 years old), “crypto is inherently social and entertainment-driven.” Gaming is their top use case at 39 percent, followed by gifting at 35 percent and subscriptions at 29 percent for music and streaming. The report said that Gen Z values fast, seamless experiences and peer-to-peer features, responding well to gamified, social payment systems.
Millennials (aged 30–44) show a broad interest in travel bookings (36 percent), gaming (35 percent), and digital products (35 percent). They use crypto for convenience and to stretch value across everyday needs.
Gen X (individuals aged 45 and above) focuses on security and reliability, but still shows interest in gaming (29 percent).
“The generational divide isn’t about who’s adopting crypto — it’s about how they’re using it. Gen Z is driving new behaviours, Millennials are building habits, and Gen X is bringing stability and scale. Together, they form the full spectrum of crypto payment adoption,” the report states.
Regional leaders in crypto gaming
According to the report, crypto payment habits vary by region, with gaming prominent in many areas. Southeast Asia leads with 41 percent of users choosing gaming. The region’s mobile-first behaviour and use of play-to-earn models — especially in the Philippines and Vietnam — contribute to this trend.
East Asia also reports 41 percent interest in gaming, driven by younger populations and a strong digital gifting culture. In the Middle East, 41 percent of users use crypto for gaming, alongside interest in luxury goods (31 percent) and car purchases (29 percent), showing how crypto supports high-end spending.
South Asia reports high usage for gaming (37 percent), gifting (33 percent), and education (31 percent), reflecting both practical and aspirational uses.
Latin America shows 37 percent interest in gaming. North America, Oceania, and Western Europe each report a 33 percent rate. Eastern Europe shows 34 percent, and Africa reports 32 percent.
Gaming as the gateway
The data shows gaming is a growing use case for crypto payments across generations and regions. As cryptocurrency becomes an integral part of daily life, its role in entertainment and digital spending is expanding. The report concluded that gaming is at the centre of this development, shaping how digital assets are used today.
