Tesla Buys $1.5 Billion in Bitcoin and Will Accept It as Payment Soon

Tesla Buys $1.5 Billion in Bitcoin and Will Accept It as Payment Soon

SILVER SPRING, Md. “” Holders of Bitcoin may be able to cash in some of their investment in the digital currency for a brand new electric car.



Electric automaker Tesla said Monday that it has invested around $1.5 billion in Bitcoin and it plans to begin accepting the digital currency as payment for its high-end vehicles soon. The price of Bitcoin soared 15.4% to around $44,500 Monday in reaction to Tesla's announcement, according to CoinBase.



The California-based electric car maker headed by Elon Musk revealed the new strategy in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, saying its investment in digital currency and other "alternative reserve assets“ may grow.











Bitcoin has drawn enthusiasts for its scarcity and security, but the volatile digital currency still is not widely used to pay for goods and services. It's mostly been a store of value, like gold, with some limited merchants like Overstock accepting bitcoin for payment. It's also used by those distrustful of the banking system or criminals seeking to launder money.



Whether other major companies will follow Tesla's lead in investing in Bitcoin or accepting it for transactions is unclear. A vehicle is a