Bitrefill added eSIM purchases paid for with cryptocurrency in August 2023, extending its offering beyond gift cards and mobile refills. The company said customers could choose local, regional or global plans and purchase them through the same shopping process used for its other products.

An eSIM lets a compatible device activate a mobile service without inserting a physical SIM card. Bitrefill positioned the new option around travel, allowing users to arrange connectivity for a destination while retaining their primary SIM, where their device supports that setup.

The purchase flow begins with checking device compatibility. Bitrefill directs customers to the compatibility guidance in its eSIM information and product descriptions before selecting a plan. The chosen product is added to the cart and paid for with a supported cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin and Ether among the examples mentioned in the announcement.

After purchase, customers receive a QR code and installation instructions. The company says plans can be bought before travel, with customers choosing the geographical coverage and data allowance relevant to the trip. The actual product and device requirements remain part of that selection.

Bitrefill describes the data as prepaid, giving customers a specified allowance rather than relying on an unplanned roaming bill. It also says it sends an email when the purchased data is close to running out. The announcement recommends comparing plan sizes when making a purchase.

For Bitrefill, eSIMs add another digitally delivered product to a commerce service already used for gift cards and mobile top-ups. The launch connects travel data purchasing to its cryptocurrency checkout rather than introducing a new physical SIM distribution process.