AutoNation Inc., the nation's largest new-vehicle retailer, said in a tweet that its Porsche Towson and BMW of Rockville dealerships in Maryland now accept cryptocurrency.

The retailer's first transaction using cryptocurrency came about after Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell notified the Saudi Arabian buyer that it could not hold the vehicle for the seven days it would take for an international wire transfer to clear, Frye said. A sales employee asked the customer whether he had cryptocurrency that could be used to help close the deal, and he did.