Who would have ever thought that jovial meme coins would one day be used to pay for goods and services? Well, this is now the case with Shiba Inu, a token built on the Ethereum blockchain.
You can now spend Shiba Inu coin at a range of stores within the United States, be it for games, clothing, food, or even home decor. So, where exactly can you use Shiba Inu as a form of payment? Let's find out below.
The Use of Flexa and BitPay for SHIB Payments
It's worth noting that all the companies listed below use Flexa to allow for payments in the form of Shiba Inu tokens. If you haven't heard of Flexa before, here's what you need to know:
Flexa is a cryptocurrency payment processing startup that supports a range of different cryptos, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. The company is also backed by the Winklevoss twins, two of the most prominent figures in the crypto industry.
In December 2021, Flexa announced that it would be adding Shiba Inu to its list of supported cryptocurrencies, allowing you to use the token to pay for products and services at a range of different US-based companies, many of which are mentioned below. This move means that individuals within the United States can now spend their SHIB in over 40,000 stores.
With Flexa's smartphone app, SPEDN, you can pay for all kinds of things using your cryptocurrency. The SPEDN app is free to download regardless of the platform, so check it out if you're interested in making payments using your crypto funds.
Some chains also use BitPay, another crypto payment processor. BitPay supports various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin, and now Shiba Inu. Like the SPEDN app, BitPay is also free to download.
Now, let's get into where you can use your Shiba Inu to make payments.
1. GameStop
In 2021, a Change.org user named Payden Browning started a petition urging Gamestop to begin accepting Shiba Inu coin as a form of payment. Browning stated in the petition description that he believed Gamestop would "be a perfect place to start with for bigger companies to accept as payment for goods," and he certainly wasn't alone in this sentiment.
A total of 61,936 supporters signed the petition, and just a few months later, in May 2021, Flexa announced on its Twitter page that it was teaming up with Gamestop so that customers could make payments in the form of Shiba Inu tokens.
Surprisingly, Gamestop also accepts Dogecoin using Flexa's SPEDN app, which is seen as Shiba Inu's direct competition within the cryptocurrency market.
2. Whole Foods
Crypto payments aren't just for luxury purchases. You can now use cryptocurrency to pay for your groceries, too! So, if you're looking to use your Shiba Inu coin for your weekly grocery haul, you can now do so using SPEDN.
3. Nordstrom
Nordstrom is another example of a popular American store that now accepts payments in the form of Shiba Inu tokens. In December of 2021, Flexa announced that customers can now pay for their items in-store with Shiba Inu coin using the SPEDN smartphone app, which is no more complicated than using Apple or Google Pay.
4. Office Depot
Need office supplies on a crypto budget? Office Depot is the store for you. The popular stationery and office accessories giant began accepting Shiba Inu for payments in December 2021 through its partnership with Flexa and its payment app. So, if you're in the US, you can use your Shiba Inu funds at Office Depot via SPEDN.
5. Lowe's
That's right; you can now decorate and renovate your home using crypto! If you have Shiba Inu tokens that you want to spend and need a few home maintenance products, you can head to Lowe's to stock up. As of May 2021, these crypto payments have been made possible at Lowe's using Flexa's SPEDN app.
6. Petco
Along with Lowe's, Nordstrom, and Gamestop, Petco was introduced as a supporter of Shiba Inu payments in May 2021. Flexa's SPEDN app allows you to buy supplies for your fur babies without relying on cash or a card.
7. Barnes & Noble
Who would've thought that you could use something as modern as cryptocurrencies to buy something as traditional as a book? Well, Barnes & Noble has now made this possible. The brand announced in December 2021 that you could shop and pay with the SPEDN app, unlocking SHIB payments in the process. So you can indulge in your love for literature with your crypto funds.
8. Bed Bath & Beyond
Another Flexa-backed Shiba Inu supporter! Home decor and beauty giant Bed Bath & Beyond joined several other companies in late 2021 with their acceptance of Shiba Inu as a payment method. Need some new sheets, an electric toothbrush, or even some candles? You can grab them all at Bed Bath & Beyond using your Shiba Inu coin.
9. Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty is one of the most popular beauty brands in the United States, with thousands of products for all things cosmetic. So, if you're a regular Ulta customer and you've got some SHIB funds to your name, you can now use them as a payment method via Flexa's SPEDN app. You can even buy Ulta gift cards online using cryptocurrency!
10. AMC
Yes, you can now even head to the movies using your Shiba Inu coin. The world's largest movie theater chain is now using both BitPay and Flexa's SPEDN app to allow for payments in Shiba Inu and several other cryptocurrencies. AMC already accepts payment in Bitcoin and Ethereum, so the inclusion of Shiba Inu coin and Dogecoin will make crypto payments even more accessible for customers.
Use Your Spare SHIB for Payments
With so many popular US chains now accepting payments in Shiba Inu coin, you'll be able to shop for food, clothing, books, pet supplies, and even head to the cinema with your SHIB funds. Using Flexa's SPEDN app, Shiba Inu coin payments are now quick and easy to complete using your smartphone at checkout.