Thanks to the decentralized nature of , travelling and living off of just bitcoin is entirely possible. Perfect for digital nomads, remote workers, or those who simply want an easier way to pay their way during a trip around the world, bitcoin is a strong contender for the forward-looking traveller’s currency of choice.
Digital Nomads
Cryptocurrency could be a in the near future, which in turn means being a digital nomad is even easier. You can travel the world, staying a few weeks in one place before moving on, all without having to worry about converting currency.
It’s easier now than ever, as . Many stores in Japan accept bitcoins, as it was declared a legal form of payment in the country on April 1, 2017. Both Belgium and Finland exempt bitcoin from VAT taxes, which is important for travellers to remember. Need a place to start? It’s said Chiang Mai, Thailand, is one of the biggest digital nomad hubs, with cheap food and accommodations, and fast Wi-Fi. Bitcoin has been legal in Thailand since 2014.
The main problems come from Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, Kyrgyzstan, Ecuador, and Bangladesh, as they have made bitcoins illegal in their countries. Thailand banned bitcoin in 2013, but just announced two laws to regulate bitcoins. Still, it’s probably best to avoid these countries (with the exception of Thailand) in your travels if you only plan to pay with cryptocurrency.
Nontraditional Workers
Sick of the 9-to-5? Would you rather work in an exotic locale and have a more carefree existence? Give up your boring job as a Wall Street analyst and instead move to Zanzibar and become a dive instructor? That last one is a real possibility, and you can do it, too.
Whether it’s to move off the grid or just to have an easier way to pay without having to transfer your money or pay for currency conversion, bitcoin will help you travel for nontraditional work. Speaking of Zanzibar, it’s a great place to work remotely or be a digital nomad. To continue the Zanzibar example, South African retailer Pick n Pay is now accepting bitcoins as payment.
Travelling
Travelling for pleasure instead of work? Bitcoin can help there, too. If you want to treat yourself, you can charter a yacht with bitcoin. The currency has come a long way since the first transaction of buying pizza.
As mentioned above, Expedia accepts bitcoins, which can make paying airlines and hotels easier, but other trip-planning sites have also started accepting crypto. Sure, you might not be able to use credit card points, or build up said points, but you also don’t have to pay conversion fees or worry about what the current exchange rate is. Bitcoin ATMs are also slowly appearing around the world, so if you do want to convert to local cash, it’s still an option.
Finally, Bitcoin is much safer to travel with than cash or cards. Unless someone has access to your digital wallet, finding yourself a pickpocket victim no longer means you have to scramble to find money. Along with security comes privacy. Your name is not attached to your digital wallet, so you can discreetly and privately pay someone.
The future of travel, for work or pleasure, is in cryptocurrency. You can be paid in bitcoin as a digital nomad, and then use crypto to pay for a flight to a combination of exotic travel in the form of a new, exciting country, full of beauty, splendour, with modern tech advancements, remote work opportunities, and Wi-Fi.
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