Tesla, the large electric vehicle manufacturer led by Dogecoin proselytizer Elon Musk, has hinted that it may soon reintroduce cryptocurrency payment services.
In its September quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company said it "may resume the practice of transacting in cryptocurrencies in the future," suggesting that Tesla intends to resume support purchases made with digital assets.
The company also expressed its long-term belief in crypto assets as a store of value and means of payment, stating:
"We believe in the long-term potential of digital assets, both as an investment and as a liquid alternative to cash."
Tesla previously accepted Bitcoin as payment for electric vehicle purchases between January and March of this year. That move was part of Tesla's broader adoption of Bitcoin, and the company also invested $1.5 billion from its treasury in BTC in the first quarter of 2021.
However, support for Bitcoin was quickly shelved after the company faced criticism for supporting BTC despite the perception that mining proof-of-work has a negative impact on the environment.
In June, CEO Elon Musk indicated that Tesla would consider resuming support for Bitcoin payments when at least half of the Bitcoin network's mixing speed was powered by renewable energy.
The report comes amid news that Tesla's market capitalization has surpassed $1 trillion after securing a landmark deal with car rental company Hertz. Tesla's share price rose by about $1,000 for the first time.
