Close to four in ten US merchants now accept cryptocurrency at checkout, reflecting growing customer interest in using digital assets for everyday payments, according to a recent survey cited by PayPal. Nearly 90% of merchants said they have received questions from customers about paying with crypto, based on data from a National Cryptocurrency Association survey referenced in PayPal’s Tuesday report.

The survey, conducted in October, included responses from 619 payment-strategy decision-makers across multiple industries. PayPal vice president and general manager May Zabaneh said the findings point to a shift in how crypto payments are being perceived by businesses.

“What we’re seeing both in this data and in conversations with our customers is that crypto payments are moving beyond experimentation and into everyday commerce,” Zabaneh said, adding: “Adoption is being driven by customer demand for faster, more flexible ways to pay — and once businesses start accepting crypto, they see real value.“

The survey also found that 84% of merchants expect crypto payments to become mainstream within the next five years.

Larger businesses lead adoption as tools expand

While enthusiasm is broad, adoption remains uneven. Larger enterprises are currently leading the shift, while 32% of midsized firms and 34% of small businesses reported accepting crypto payments. Well-known US companies such as Starbucks, Walmart and Home Depot are among those that already support crypto at checkout.

PayPal has moved to support this trend, launching a crypto checkout tool in July that allows US merchants to accept payments in more than 100 cryptocurrencies. Among businesses that already accept crypto, these transactions account for an average of 26% of total sales, indicating that customers are willing to use digital assets when the option is available.

Supporters of crypto payments argue that digital assets could play a larger role in commerce, particularly in cases where faster settlement or reduced cross-border costs are important. However, they also acknowledge that technical complexity and infrastructure challenges remain obstacles for many merchants.

Younger consumers drive demand, simplicity seen as key

Younger shoppers are playing a significant role in pushing adoption forward. PayPal found that millennials and Gen Z are currently the most comfortable using crypto for payments, while industries such as hospitality and travel, digital goods and gaming show the highest levels of adoption.

Despite the growing interest, PayPal noted that simplifying the payment experience will be critical for broader uptake. About 90% of merchants surveyed said they would consider accepting crypto if it were as easy to use as traditional card payments.

“What this data makes clear is that interest in crypto isn’t the problem; understanding is,” said Stu Alderoty, president of the National Cryptocurrency Association and chief legal officer at Ripple.

Sources:

https://newsroom.paypal-corp.com/2026-01-27-Crypto-Goes-Mainstream-4-in-10-US-Merchants-Accept-Digital-Assets

https://cointelegraph.com/news/4-in-10-us-merchants-accept-crypto-paypal