Balenciaga made waves with its recent resort show in the New York Stock Exchange, and it continues to stay relevant with its statement that clients will be able to pay with Bitcoin and Ethereum beginning next month in June. The premium fashion business follows labelmate Gucci in endorsing this emerging method of payment, reaffirming the conglomerate’s commitment to the digital world. Balenciaga’s retail locations on Madison Avenue in New York and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles will accept this payment option.

For a long time, the volatility of cryptocurrencies has been an impediment to company owners completely embracing this new kind of technology. Many people are hesitant to enter or grow into the digital realm because of the uncertainty it brings, but Balenciaga has stated that it is “thinking long term,” and occasional swings are nothing new. Keeping this in mind, the business hopes that their effort will be beneficial in the future as cryptocurrency acceptance becomes more widespread. TAG Heuer is the most recent luxury company to do so.

According to the Lyst Index, Balenciaga finished the first quarter of 2022 in first place, which is not surprising. The fashion label staged its spectacular runway display under an artificial snowfall. It was a satire on the unfolding crisis between Ukraine and Russia, and the publicity it produced catapulted the brand to the top. Similarly, Balenciaga’s embrace of cryptocurrency is how the company intends to stay top of mind among buyers who are spoiled with choice.

Furthermore, this inclusion might help the firm interact with crypto-rich customers and broaden its client base. The adoption of digital currencies has been uneven, with most businesses other than the luxury industry already beginning to embrace them. Companies like as Starbucks, Microsoft, and Amazon have all implemented this payment option for its consumers.

Image: Decentraland

The luxury industry has been extremely resistant to systemic reform. This was especially noticeable in the early days of the Covid-19 epidemic, when most brands were not prepared to make that digital move. As a result, the industry incurred a revenue loss. Balenciaga, determined to grab the new opportunity, has begun its voyage into Web3, beginning with the distribution of NFTs and metaverse pop-ups.

The advent of bitcoin only rounds out its digital ecology. Despite the current “crypto cold,” more and more firms in the luxury market are incorporating digital currency into their payment options. It won’t be long until other brands, large and small, begin to follow suit.