5 Global Brands Who’ve Integrated Cryptocurrency Payments into Their Mobile Apps
Credit: ajay_suresh on Flickr via CC BY 2.0 – no changes were made to the image
Cryptocurrency adoption is seeing renewed growth this year. Its user base already expanded by a whopping 190% between 2018 and 2020. In the second half of 2024 alone, it added another 40 million users to its ranks. Therefore, it’s no surprise that more businesses across industries are now accepting crypto payments, mainly by integrating them as a payment option in their mobile apps.
If you’re looking to do the same, you’ll need to understand that incorporating blockchain technology like crypto payments into an app is a complex process that involves implementing user-friendly wallets that comply with security regulations. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be as challenging as it sounds. To make things easier, you can take inspiration from some well-established apps that successfully facilitate crypto payments. To get you started, here are five notable global brands that have integrated them into their own apps.
Telegram
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Telegram, which operates out of Dubai and has servers across the globe, is one of the world’s biggest telecommunications apps. Often touted as an alternative to platforms like Facebook Messenger, it stands out for offering end-to-end encryption across various features like voice and video calling, messaging, media sharing, and live streaming. Given its emphasis on security, it’s no surprise that it now also accepts cryptocurrency—not just to pay for in-app purchases like its dedicated Telegram Premium subscription, but also for simply sending and receiving tokens ranging from Ether to stablecoins like USDT. All users need to do is access the app’s wallet bot, a mini app they can chat with, to link their wallets to Telegram and start transactions with the contacts of their choice.
ACR Poker
ACR Poker offers a wide range of real-money poker games to internet users across North and South America and beyond. It’s also considered the US’ #1 online poker site for its dedication to player protection. ACR Poker was one of the first in the industry to start facilitating faster and more secure crypto payments all the way back in 2014. Now, it accepts more than 60 tokens, including market leaders Bitcoin and Ethereum. With the release of its dedicated mobile app in 2023, users who play traditional variants like Texas Hold ‘em and more innovative formats like Blitz Poker on their smartphones can similarly benefit from secure deposits and withdrawals. One only needs to tap the ACR app’s “CASHIER” button, select the token of their choice, and make their first deposits, which are eligible for 200% welcome bonuses since they’re done with crypto.
FIFA
Even official sports organizations like FIFA are going all-in on crypto. In 2024, the world’s biggest governing body for soccer announced it was collaborating with the studio Mythical Games to create FIFA Rivals, a pioneering blockchain gaming app designed to give soccer fans “a mobile-first gaming experience.” Here, users can create their own clubs, compete in real-time PvP matches, and enter an in-game marketplace where they can deposit cryptocurrencies into the app’s digital wallet system and buy and sell players. FIFA eventually plans to integrate Rivals into its esports platform, paving the way for sports-themed competitive gaming using cryptocurrencies.
Slake
Credit: @slakeglobal on Instagram
Slake is the leading US app for food delivery that accepts cryptocurrencies. An additional protected IP application allows other delivery apps across the globe to leverage its payments system, helping it reach its end goal of giving consumers “more food choices, delivery options, and competitive pricing.” Beyond simply incorporating crypto payments into its app, however, Slake also launched its own token—$SLAKE—which is designed to streamline checkouts while cutting costs. The app further makes crypto payments worthwhile for users by offering a loyalty program hosted on the Ethereum blockchain.
Travala
Travala launched in 2017 as one of the first travel sites to accept reservations made with cryptocurrency payments. Today, it’s the world’s leading crypto-native travel booking service, offering users the option to arrange their vacations using its database of more than two million properties across 230 countries, as well as more than 400,000 vacation activities and 600 airlines. Thanks to a 2020 partnership with Crypto.com, it now accepts more than 100 tokens, including the Crypto.com coin CRO, its native token AVA, and other popular and trending tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Shiba Inu, and Pepe. An additional deal with fellow travel booking service trivago means the latter can redirect users to the Travala app when they select crypto-friendly properties, activities, and airlines, demonstrating the success of inter-app crypto payment integration.
These five global brands show that crypto payment app integrations can offer businesses a competitive advantage amid growing crypto adoption, especially when done in relation to their niche. If you’re looking to outsource talent to aid your app development journey or browse custom software development solutions, see what we have to offer here on Nile Bits.
