A growing number of U.S. stores are starting to accept cryptocurrency at checkout. This shift varies by location but is happening across the board. Reports indicate around 40% of U.S. merchants now take crypto, largely driven by customer interest.
Merchant Demand Is Rising
A recent survey by PayPal and the National Cryptocurrency Association found that about 39% of merchants have added crypto as a payment option. Many report regular inquiries from customers about using it—88% have been asked about crypto payments, and 69% hear such requests at least monthly. Additionally, 84% of respondents believe crypto payments will become common within five years, reflecting strong expectations for wider adoption.
Who’s Accepting Crypto
Adoption is uneven. Large companies with annual revenue over $500 million lead, with about 50% accepting crypto. Smaller shops trail at around 34%, while midsize firms are near 32%. Sectors like travel and hospitality, gaming and digital goods, and high-end retail are at the forefront, often because they sell online or cater to tech-savvy customers.
Crypto’s Role in Sales
For merchants already accepting digital assets, crypto isn’t just a niche offering. Reports show it makes up over a quarter of sales for some, and 72% of these merchants saw their crypto sales grow in the past year. This growth helps explain why businesses are keen to keep the option open.
Barriers and Bright Spots
A frequent hurdle is that setup remains too difficult. Surveys indicate about 90% of merchants would accept crypto if it were as easy as taking a credit card, with payment tools and integration being top concerns. Merchants cite faster payments, access to new customers, and improved buyer privacy as key benefits. Younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are often the ones driving demand at checkout.
What Merchants Want Next
The survey, conducted in October 2025, polled roughly 619 payment strategy decision-makers across retail, travel, and digital goods. PayPal and the NCA released the findings in late January 2026. Many executives emphasize the need for simpler tools and clearer regulations. They believe that with easier onboarding and reliable settlement systems, crypto acceptance could spread much faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the PayPal survey finding that 40 of US merchants now accept cryptocurrency designed in a natural conversational tone with clear answers
Understanding the Headline
Q What does this 40 of US merchants headline actually mean
A It means that in a recent survey commissioned by PayPal 40 of the USbased online businesses they surveyed reported that they currently accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment from customers
Q Is this 40 of all stores in America
A No its important to note this is from a survey of online merchants It doesnt include every small brickandmortar shop It reflects a significant trend among businesses that operate digitally
For Beginners Shoppers
Q As a customer how would I pay with crypto at these stores
A You typically wouldnt send crypto directly from your wallet Instead at checkout youd select a crypto option A payment processor instantly converts your crypto into US dollars at the current rate and the merchant receives dollars This protects them from price volatility
Q Whats the main benefit for me to pay with crypto
A For most everyday shoppers the current benefits are limited but growing It can offer an alternative payment method potentially lower fees for international purchases and faster settlement than some bank transfers For some its about using a new technology they believe in
Q Do I need a PayPal account to use crypto at these merchants
A Not necessarily While PayPal offers its own crypto checkout service many merchants use other payment processors like BitPay Coinbase Commerce or Shopify integrations that work with various crypto wallets
For Business Owners Advanced Users
Q Why would a merchant want to accept crypto if its so volatile
A Most merchants dont actually hold the crypto They use a payment service that instantly converts the crypto to fiat currency at the moment of sale They receive stable dollars avoiding the volatility risk while still attracting cryptoholding customers
Q What are the real business benefits for merchants