In the latest instance of crypto becoming more mainstream, Shiba Inu is among 13 such digital currencies that are now accepted in Australia-based electricity firm 1st Energy. This has been enabled by payment service provider BitPay who initially broke the news.
BitPay is the largest Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payment service provider in the world, launched in 2011. In December 2021, the firm announced Shiba Inu integration into its wallet app, thus allowing storing, buying, swapping, and spending SHIB.
Apart from Shiba Inu, BitPay would also support other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Wrapped Bitcoin, and five USD-pegged stable coins [BUSD, DAI, GUSD, USDP, and USDC].
Founded in 2014 currently offering its services in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, 1st Energy has become Australia’s first energy retailer to accept crypto through a partnership with BitPay. This meant that its customers can now pay their utility bills using any cryptocurrency of their choice offered via BitPay.
List of merchants supporting Shiba Inu grows
The latest development comes close on the heels of AMC Theatres announcing that it would add DOGE and Shiba Inu to its payment module via BitPay. On 28 Feb, AMC CEO Adam Aron tweeted that BitPay is slated to go live for online payments on its website by March 19, and would subsequently become active on its mobile apps by April 16.
In late 2021, SHIB made headlines when leading U.S based e-retailer Newegg had announced adding the popular meme coin as a form of payment on its platform.
The list of companies that are already accepting Shiba Inu payments consists of the following [five of which are integrated through Flexa]: GameStop, Nerdy Flames, Ask The Doctor, Petco, Lowe’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ulta Beauty, Shiba Tea & Coffee, Shiba Mobile Repair.
Not just limited to payment, the asset has also ventured into the NFT space when its team announced inking a “cutting-edge” partnership with the John Richmond fashion label. The collaboration will culminate in the launch of a fashion collection that would comprise 10,000 non-fungible tokens [NFTs]. The physical versions of these tokens will be presented during Milan Fashion Week.
