ATOM is the native token of Cosmos, one of the largest interoperability networks in crypto. It secures the Cosmos Hub through proof-of-stake, pays transaction fees there and carries governance rights, while the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol links more than 100 sovereign chains built with the Cosmos SDK.

That's the on-chain side of ATOM, but what happens when you take it into the real world? The token can also cover everyday purchases, from booking a hotel or flight through CoinBooking to picking up physical collectibles on Polkastarter.

On Polkastarter, you can purchase rare trading cards, sealed products and video games, with a free mystery pack for new users.

Key Takeaways

• Rare trading cards, graded collectibles and sealed games are among the physical items available through Polkastarter. New users can claim a free mystery pack.
• ATOM can also help pay for your next getaway. CoinBooking accepts ATOM and 200+ other cryptocurrencies, with hotels and flights available for up to 30% lower than Booking.com.
• IBC Eureka, live since April 2025, routes transfers between Ethereum and Cosmos chains through the Cosmos Hub, making Ethereum the first non-Cosmos network to join IBC.
• ATOM holders can also use Coinsbee to buy gift cards and mobile top-ups across 5,000+ brands in 185+ countries.

1. Buy Physical Collectibles With ATOM on Polkastarter

Polkastarter gives ATOM holders a way to spend their crypto on physical collectibles. Users can explore authenticated trading cards, sealed products, video games, and other physical collectibles, with ownership recorded on-chain.

Items remain in secure custody, so you can trade ownership without having the physical item shipped. If you want the item yourself, you can request delivery or sell it back through the platform.

ATOM is not currently listed as a direct payment method, so holders will first need to swap it for a supported cryptocurrency before funding their Polkastarter balance. From there, they can browse available Lootboxes and collectibles, with details such as contents, values, and odds shown before purchase.

New users can also claim a free mystery pack after signing up. Browse Polkastarter's collectibles marketplace to see what's currently available.

2. Book Discounted Hotels and Flights With ATOM on CoinBooking

Planning a trip and have ATOM sitting in your wallet? You can book your next trip through CoinBooking at prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com. As a Dubai-licensed leading travel broker, CoinBooking gives ATOM holders access to more than 2 million hotels and flights across 190+ countries.

You can pay for bookings directly with ATOM without converting it to fiat first, helping you avoid the extra fees and markups often associated with crypto-focused travel platforms. If you prefer traditional payment methods, CoinBooking also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

For frequent travelers, those savings can add up quickly. First-time users can also get $25 off their first booking.

3. Use ATOM Across the Cosmos Ecosystem

ATOM holders can put the token to work directly on the Cosmos Hub, the first chain in the network. It is the staking, fee and governance token of the Hub, and holders delegate it to validators in the active set to earn a share of block rewards.

Staking comes with fixed rules. Delegated ATOM has a 21-day unbonding period and can be slashed if a validator misbehaves, and issuance is set by an inflation rate that governance cut from a 14% maximum to 10% in November 2023.

Governance runs on-chain, where staked ATOM carries voting rights on protocol upgrades and treasury spending, and Cosmos Hub delegators can vote independently of the validator they delegate to. Proposal 82, the ATOM 2.0 redesign, was rejected by that process in November 2022.

The Hub also sits at the center of the wider Cosmos stack of the Cosmos SDK, CometBFT and IBC. IBC Eureka, launched by Interchain Labs in April 2025, made Ethereum the first non-Cosmos network on IBC and routes those transfers through the Cosmos Hub.

4. Spend ATOM With a Crypto Card

ATOM can also be used for everyday spending through crypto payment cards. Depending on the provider, you can use a card to pay online, shop anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted, or make mobile payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

RedotPay serves users across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, although it is not available to US residents. KAST offers virtual and physical cards, while Ether.fi supports self-custody and offers cashback on eligible purchases.

To get started, choose a provider that supports your location, fund the account with ATOM, and order a card. Check each provider's fees, features, and availability before signing up.

5. Buy Gift Cards and Everyday Products With ATOM on Coinsbee

Coinsbee gives ATOM holders another way to spend their tokens on everyday purchases. The service supports 200+ cryptocurrencies and offers gift cards, prepaid products, and mobile top-ups across 5,000+ brands in 185+ countries.

Its catalogue reaches into retail, entertainment, gaming, travel, and other daily-use categories. Select a brand and denomination, settle with ATOM, and receive the digital code by email.

Check Coinsbee's available products to see which options are supported in your region.

6. Access Early-Stage Token Sales Through CoinTerminal

ATOM holders can also put their tokens toward early-stage crypto projects through CoinTerminal. The launchpad gives users access to token sales before they list on exchanges, with contributions starting at $100 and no staking requirements.

ATOM is not accepted directly, so holders will first need to swap it for USDT before participating. CoinTerminal also offers a full-refund guarantee on its launches, giving users an added layer of protection when investing in early-stage projects.

Visit CoinTerminal to see which token sales are currently open.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Cosmos (ATOM) used for?

ATOM is the native token of the Cosmos Hub. It is delegated to validators to secure the proof-of-stake network and earn rewards, it pays transaction fees on the Hub, and staked ATOM carries voting rights on protocol upgrades and treasury spending.

2. Can I book hotels and flights with ATOM?

Yes. CoinBooking supports ATOM alongside 200+ other cryptocurrencies for discounted hotel and flight bookings across 190+ countries, at prices up to 30% below Booking.com. New users can claim $25 off their first booking.

3. What happened to Cosmos crypto?

Cosmos governance rejected the ATOM 2.0 redesign, Proposal 82, in November 2022, then voted in November 2023 to cut maximum ATOM inflation from 14% to 10%. In 2025 the Interchain Foundation absorbed the Skip team into Cosmos Labs, which shipped IBC Eureka in April 2025.

4. Is Cosmos reliable?

The Cosmos Hub has been live since March 2019 and runs on CometBFT proof-of-stake consensus, with an active validator set, slashing penalties for misbehavior and a 21-day unbonding period on delegated ATOM. Its IBC protocol connects more than 100 sovereign chains.

5. Is Cosmos a good crypto to buy?

Prices cannot be predicted, and nothing here is investment advice. What ATOM does is factual: it secures the Cosmos Hub through staking, pays fees on the Hub and carries governance votes, while IBC Eureka routes Ethereum transfers through the Hub since April 2025.