June 20, 2026
How to pay with USDT/USDC in the United States
Table of Contents:
1. Is Crypto Legal in the United States?
2. How USDT and USDC Are Actually Used in the United States
3. How to Download 0fiat in the United States
4. Supported Stores in the United States
5. How to checkout with 0fiat in the United States
Is Crypto Legal in the United States?
Yes. Crypto is legal in the United States. You can buy, hold, send, and spend USDT and USDC without breaking any laws. The U.S. has one of the most developed regulatory frameworks for crypto in the world, with multiple federal agencies overseeing different aspects of the space.
The SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, and individual state regulators all play a role depending on what you are doing with crypto. For everyday users who just want to spend stablecoins, none of this is particularly relevant. You are not doing anything unusual or legally complicated. You are spending money you already own.
Stablecoins like USDT (issued by Tether) and USDC (issued by Circle) are the most widely used form of crypto for payments. They are pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, so one USDT or one USDC is always worth one dollar. There is no volatility to worry about and no conversion math to do at checkout.
As of 2025, U.S. lawmakers have been actively working on stablecoin specific legislation to give users and businesses even more clarity. The direction is clear: stablecoins are here to stay, and the U.S. government is moving toward a framework that supports their use rather than restricting it.
How USDT and USDC Are Actually Used in the United States
Most Americans who own crypto keep it sitting on an exchange doing nothing. That is changing fast.
Stablecoins are increasingly being used for real purchases, not just trading. People are using USDT and USDC to pay for everything from gift cards to groceries to software subscriptions. The appeal is straightforward: you hold dollars onchain, and now you can spend them like dollars, without moving anything to a bank first.
Here are a few reasons why United States users are moving towards stablecoin payments:
No conversion fees.
When you pay with USDT or USDC directly, there is no exchange converting your crypto to fiat and skimming a percentage off the top.
Instant settlement.
Stablecoin transactions on networks like Polygon or BNB Chain settle in seconds.
Full control.
Your funds stay in your own wallet until the moment you spend them. There is no custodian holding your money on your behalf.
Works globally.
If you travel or buy from international merchants, the dollar denominated value stays consistent regardless of where the seller is located.
0fiat is built specifically for this use case. It lets you spend USDT or USDC directly at thousands of merchants across the U.S. with zero transaction fees. You keep your crypto in your wallet. You pick what you want to buy.
How to Download 0fiat in the United States
You can use 0fiat on both desktop and mobile. Here is how to get set up either way.
Browser Extension (Desktop)
The 0fiat browser extension is available for Chrome and other Chromium based browsers. Once installed, it works directly inside your browser while you shop.
Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for 0fiat, or visit 0fiat.com to find the direct install link.
Click "Add to Chrome" and confirm the installation.
The 0fiat icon will appear in your browser toolbar.
Click it to log in or create your account.
The extension is lightweight and does not change your browsing experience until you are ready to use it.
Mobile App
The 0fiat app is currently available for Android users at the time of writing this. Further updates on the availability on iOS and latest updates would be available on the website.
Open the Google Playstore (for Android).
Search for "0fiat" and download the app.
Open the app, create an account or log in with your existing credentials.
Both the app and the browser extension use the same account, so you can switch between devices without losing anything.
Supported Stores in the United States
0fiat gives U.S. users access to a wide range of merchants through gift cards and direct integrations. This covers most of the brands Americans shop with regularly.
Some of the major categories and merchants available include:
Retail and Shopping: Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Nordstrom, Nike, Adidas, and more.
Food and Delivery: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Chipotle, and other food delivery and restaurant brands.
Travel and Flights: Airbnb, Expedia, Delta, United, and other travel booking services. You can book flights, hotels, and rental cars using USDT or USDC.
Entertainment and Streaming: Netflix, Spotify, Apple App Store, Google Play, and gaming platforms. This includes buying GooglePlay giftcards to pay for apps and AI subscriptions.
Software and Subscriptions: Tools, SaaS products, and digital services available through giftcard top-ups.
The gift card route is particularly useful because it covers merchants that do not natively accept crypto. You buy a gift card with your stablecoins through 0fiat, and then redeem it directly with the merchant. Same result, zero fees, no fiat required.
The list of supported merchants continues to grow. Check the 0fiat app or website for the most current catalog.
How to Checkout with 0fiat in the United States
The checkout process is simple and takes under two minutes the first time. After that it is even faster.
Step 1: Open the 0fiat app and find what you want to buy. Browse the built in store inside the app. You can search by merchant name or explore by category. Everything available to U.S. users is listed there as per regions.
Step 2: Add to cart and go to checkout. Select your item and proceed to checkout the same way you would on any shopping app.
Step 3: Tap "Pay with Crypto." At checkout, select 0fiat as your payment method. This is where the crypto part begins.
Step 4: Select your chain. Choose the network you want to pay from. 0fiat supports multiple chains including Solana, Ethereum, Base, Tron, Polygon and BNB Chain. Pick whichever chain you have your USDT or USDC.
Step 5: Confirm the payment. Approve the transaction from your wallet. The amount is settled instantly in stablecoins with zero fees.
Step 6: Done. Your order is confirmed. No bank involved, no conversion, no waiting.
The whole thing works on any supported network. If you are on Polygon, the gas fees are minimal. BNB Chain is another popular option for U.S. users who want fast and affordable transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is it legal to spend USDT and USDC in the United States?
Yes. Spending stablecoins in the U.S. is completely legal. USDT and USDC are dollar pegged assets and using them for purchases is no different from any other form of digital payment in the eyes of the law.
Q. Do I need a bank account to use 0fiat?
No. 0fiat works entirely from your crypto wallet. As long as you have USDT or USDC in your wallet, you can shop without a bank account, credit card, or any fiat on hand.
Q. What networks does 0fiat support?
0fiat currently supports Solana, Ethereum, Base, Tron, Polygon and BNB Chain, with more networks being added.
Q. Are there any fees when I pay with 0fiat?
No. 0fiat charges zero transaction fees. The amount you see at checkout is exactly what leaves your wallet.
Q. Which wallet should I use with 0fiat?
0fiat works with most popular Web3 wallets. Make sure your wallet holds USDT or USDC on a supported network before checkout.
Q. Can I use 0fiat on both my phone and desktop?
Yes. The 0fiat app is available on android, and the browser extension. Both use the same account so you can switch between them freely.
Q.Is my wallet information stored by 0fiat?
No. 0fiat is non custodial. Your funds stay in your own wallet at all times and are only moved at the moment you confirm a payment.