Can You Buy Crypto on Amazon? Explaining Your Options

Amazon currently does not allow direct purchases of cryptocurrency on its platform, nor does it accept cryptocurrency as a direct payment method for goods and services. While direct transactions are not possible, consumers can interact with Amazon using cryptocurrencies indirectly, and Amazon is involved with digital assets in other capacities.

Direct Cryptocurrency Transactions on Amazon

Amazon operates as an e-commerce retail platform, focusing on physical and digital products. It is not a cryptocurrency exchange or a financial institution. Its business model centers on traditional payment processing for consumer goods. Consequently, customers cannot use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum directly at checkout. Amazon’s payment infrastructure uses fiat currencies and established financial networks, without direct cryptocurrency integration.

Indirect Ways to Use Crypto for Amazon Purchases

Despite Amazon’s policy, consumers can still use their digital asset holdings for purchases through indirect methods. These approaches involve converting cryptocurrency into a form Amazon accepts, such as gift cards or fiat currency via a debit card.

Gift Cards

A common indirect method is purchasing Amazon gift cards from third-party platforms. Services like Coinsbee, Bitrefill, and CoinGate allow users to exchange cryptocurrencies for Amazon gift card codes. The process involves selecting the gift card amount, choosing the cryptocurrency for payment, and receiving the digital code via email. Amazon has anti-fraud measures; using gift cards on new accounts without other payment methods or purchasing excessive high-denomination cards could lead to a temporary account lock.

Crypto-backed Debit Cards

Another approach is using crypto-backed debit cards from various cryptocurrency companies. These cards, often on major payment networks like Visa, convert cryptocurrency holdings to fiat currency at the point of sale. On Amazon, they function like standard debit cards, drawing funds from a linked crypto wallet after conversion. Some cards offer cashback rewards, though certain benefits may require staking the issuer’s native token. Converting cryptocurrency for purchases, whether via gift cards or debit cards, is a taxable event by the IRS, potentially incurring capital gains or losses.

Amazon’s Digital Asset Initiatives

While Amazon does not facilitate direct cryptocurrency transactions for consumers, the company has engaged with digital assets and blockchain technology in other capacities.

Amazon Coin

One initiative was Amazon Coin, a digital currency for purchases within its Appstore and Kindle Fire ecosystem. Amazon Coin was not a cryptocurrency and did not operate on a blockchain. This program is being deprecated and will be fully discontinued on August 20, 2025, with new purchases ceasing as of February 20, 2025. Remaining purchased Amazon Coins will be refunded after this date.

AWS Blockchain

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers blockchain services for businesses and developers. Amazon Managed Blockchain (AMB) is a managed service that simplifies creating and managing scalable blockchain networks. This offering supports frameworks like Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum, enabling organizations to build decentralized applications for various business uses, including supply chain management and financial transactions. AWS’s blockchain services focus on providing infrastructure for blockchain development, not on enabling direct cryptocurrency trading or payments for Amazon’s retail customers.

Broader Interest

Amazon has demonstrated interest in the broader digital currency and blockchain space. The company has posted job listings for experts in blockchain and digital currencies to develop strategic roadmaps. Reports also suggest Amazon is exploring stablecoin payments, which are digital tokens typically pegged to a stable asset like the U.S. dollar, to reduce transaction costs and streamline payments. These explorations indicate Amazon’s ongoing evaluation of how digital assets and blockchain technology might integrate into its future operations.