Contrary to popular belief, it’s certainly possible to live and survive on Bitcoin alone. Do keep in mind that just because it’s possible, does not mean one should expect a comfortable life by any means. Living off the grid on cryptocurrency always requires a tradeoff where comfort is concerned. Using the digital currency directly remains a challenge wherever you are. In most cases, this means using a Bitcoin debit card, which needs to be taken into account.
Payment cards are king in the United States, and bank ATMs can be found on virtually every block. Anyone who owns a Bitcoin debit card can easily survive on Bitcoin top-ups in the US without too many problems. Unfortunately, it is not that easy to obtain a Bitcoin debit card in the US. However, gift card purchases through Bitcoin are another option worth exploring.
As with the US, residents of the UK have a rather easy time to surviving on Bitcoin. Moreover, the Europeans have easier access to Bitcoin-to-wire transfer services as well. Plus, the number of gift card stores accepting direct bitcoin payments continues to grow. Some platforms, even offer gift cards for everyday stores, including Tesco’s and Marks & Spencer.
Although most people would not expect Ecuador to be on this list, it is possible to live on Bitcoin there as well. Do keep in mind there will be quite a few hurdles to make this a livable situation, though. Ecuador is one of the few countries where using Bitcoin is considered illegal, hence why debit cards are an excellent solution. Nothing is preventing local banks from blocking specific card providers if they find out those companies facilitate Bitcoin transactions through them.
Italy has quite a few locations where Bitcoin is an accepted payment method. Especially in the Milan area, a few dozen retailers deal with Bitcoin payments directly. Rome has a solid selection of Bitcoin merchants as well. For rent and utility bills, one would have to rely on Bitcoin-to-wire transfers though. Then again, that is not a big issue for European residents at all, as several companies offer SEPA-wide services in this regard.
Although very few people may realize this, Australia is home to quite a few shops accepting Bitcoin payments directly, without the need for a debit card. Unfortunately, most of these services are located in the Eastern part of the country. Thanks to platforms such as Living Room of Satoshi, using Bitcoin for bills and other expenses is virtually a non-issue. Going through a third-party service provider might not be ideal, but it works just fine for the time being.
One of the regions where Bitcoin has become quite an important commodity in, is Mexico. The country’s national currency is weakening in value, and Trump’s plans are making life even more difficult. Mexico has a robust Bitcoin ecosystem and one can find plenty of locations where Bitcoin is accepted directly. A Bitcoin-to-wire service remains the best solution in the country, but depending on how the financial situation evolves, new cryptocurrency services may be launched in the coming years.
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