Microsoft began accepting bitcoin to buy Xbox games and Windows software

On December 11, 2014, Microsoft made a pioneering move in the tech industry by announcing its acceptance of Bitcoin as a payment option.

The announcement revealed that customers could use Bitcoin to add funds to their Microsoft accounts, which could then be used to purchase a variety of digital content, including apps, games, and videos across Windows, Windows Phone, Xbox Games, Xbox Music, or Xbox Video Stores. This integration was initially available only to customers in the United States and required the use of fixed amounts of Bitcoin.
 

Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Universal Store, Eric Lockard, commented on the adoption, stating that while digital currencies like Bitcoin were not yet mainstream, their growth was evident beyond the early enthusiasts. He expressed the company’s anticipation of this growth continuing and recognized the importance of allowing customers to use Bitcoin to purchase Microsoft’s products and services.
 

Microsoft joined the ranks of other prominent companies such as PayPal, Dell, and Expedia, which had also started accepting Bitcoin payments.