TLDR
- Nearly 40% of merchants already accept crypto at checkout, with sales rising.
- 50% of businesses earning over $500M annually accept crypto payments.
- 85% of surveyed merchants expect crypto payments to be common in 5 years.
- Customer demand for faster payments is pushing crypto adoption forward.
A recent survey from PayPal reveals a clear trend toward increased adoption of cryptocurrency payments, particularly among large businesses. According to the survey, about 40% of surveyed merchants already accept cryptocurrency at checkout.
This adoption rate is significantly higher among larger companies, with 50% of businesses earning more than $500 million annually offering crypto payment options. This suggests that larger businesses are taking the lead in integrating digital currencies into their payment systems.
New research alert! We teamed up with @PayPal and @HarrisPoll to learn how crypto payments are becoming part of everyday commerce 🛍️
We found nearly 4 in 10 U.S. merchants already accept crypto payments and 84% expect crypto to become a common payment method within 5 years.… pic.twitter.com/RkbleCDNCx
— National Cryptocurrency Association (@NatCryptoAssoc) January 27, 2026
The survey highlights that nearly 85% of respondents expect cryptocurrency payments to become widespread within the next five years. This forecast signals a shift in how businesses are viewing crypto payments—moving beyond experimentation and into regular commerce.
Rising Demand for Crypto Payments
The survey also noted that nearly nine in ten merchants have reported receiving customer inquiries about the ability to pay with cryptocurrency. This growing demand is pushing businesses to consider adopting crypto as a payment method. Among those businesses that have already integrated crypto payments, around three-quarters reported an increase in crypto-related sales over the past year.
PayPal’s Vice President and General Manager of Crypto, May Zabaneh, explained, “Adoption is being driven by customer demand for faster, more flexible ways to pay—and once businesses start accepting crypto, they see real value.” This suggests that businesses are not just adopting cryptocurrency due to market trends but are responding to the practical benefits that customers are seeking.
Smaller Businesses and Crypto Payment Barriers
While large businesses are leading the charge, smaller companies have been slower to adopt cryptocurrency payments. The survey found that only 34% of small businesses and 32% of midsize businesses accept crypto.
This slower adoption may be due to concerns about the complexity of setting up crypto payment systems. However, nearly 90% of surveyed merchants stated they would experiment with crypto if the process were as simple as accepting traditional credit card payments.
These findings highlight the importance of simplifying the crypto payment setup. Merchants are more likely to embrace digital currencies if the process mirrors the ease of accepting standard payment methods.
The Role of PayPal and Partnerships in Crypto Adoption
PayPal’s ongoing efforts to simplify cryptocurrency adoption have been critical in this shift. The company has been a pioneer in integrating stablecoins and crypto payments into its platform, which is now being followed by other fintech companies and banks. PayPal’s collaboration with organizations like the National Cryptocurrency Association is aimed at closing the knowledge gap and making crypto payments more accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Stu Alderoty, the President of the National Cryptocurrency Association, emphasized the need for partnerships with trusted platforms, stating, “Too many people still don’t see how crypto fits into their everyday lives. That’s why partnerships with trusted platforms like PayPal are so important.” This collaboration is seen as a crucial step toward making crypto payments a regular part of consumer transactions.
Overall, the adoption of cryptocurrency payments is moving beyond the early stages of experimentation. Large businesses are paving the way, while smaller businesses are expected to follow as crypto payments become easier and more accessible. The future of payments appears increasingly digital, with crypto at the forefront of this shift.
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