On July 24, Ferrari announced plans to extend its cryptocurrency payment option to its European dealerships by the end of the month.
Following the success of this service in the U.S., the Italian sports car maker aims to introduce crypto payments to more regions globally by the end of 2024, though this will be limited to countries where digital currencies are legally recognized.
Ferrari’s decision to embrace cryptocurrency payments comes after observing the 2023-2024 crypto market surge. Initially, the company partnered with BitPay in the U.S. to handle transactions in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC. BitPay will convert crypto payments into traditional currency immediately, protecting dealers from price volatility and eliminating customer fees.
Ferrari has not yet announced whether it will use other payment processors in Europe or elsewhere.
Tesla, which briefly accepted Bitcoin payments in early 2021, halted this practice due to environmental concerns related to Bitcoin mining. Although much mining has shifted to greener methods, Tesla has not resumed Bitcoin payments.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has voiced concerns about the future stability of the U.S. Dollar, suggesting that a return to accepting Bitcoin could be on the horizon and might inspire other companies to follow suit.
Market analysts are closely watching the impact of Donald Trump’s growing influence over the cryptocurrency space, with speculation mounting that he may announce a strategic Bitcoin reserve ahead of the White House Cryptocurrency Summit on March 7.
The U.S. government’s decision to add Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to its strategic reserves has sparked debate, with MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor weighing in on the matter.
Speculation is mounting over the U.S. government’s decision to integrate Bitcoin into its financial strategy, with some experts questioning its impact on the dollar.
Mt. Gox, the long-defunct crypto exchange, has once again moved a significant amount of Bitcoin, transferring 12,000 BTC amid a period of heightened market uncertainty.