Crypto payments are no longer a niche tool — they’ve become an integral part of everyday financial activity. The shift is especially visible in international trade, tourism, e-commerce, and the service sector. For many companies, crypto is not just a PR opportunity but a practical payment method that opens access to new customer segments.
One of the key factors driving adoption is the development of POS infrastructure. The ability to accept crypto payments in physical locations is becoming increasingly important. We spoke with Vadim Nikiforov, POS Business Development Director at CoinsPaid, to explore why crypto payments are gaining momentum and how businesses can adapt their infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of their customers.
What’s Driving the Demand for Crypto Payments
Which macroeconomic or technological trends are encouraging businesses to explore cryptocurrency payments today?
From a business perspective, cryptocurrency payments are gaining traction driven by the need for faster and simpler cross-border transactions. With remote work, global teams, and crypto-focused fintech growth, demand is rising. Crypto enables near-instant, direct settlements — ideal for companies working internationally.
On the tech side, payments infrastructure has matured with POS systems, mobile apps, APIs, and custody tools, making crypto acceptance as seamless as using a credit card.
Regulatory developments are another important driver. Frameworks like MiCA and DAC8 in the EU are making the market more transparent and predictable. This gives businesses greater confidence in the legality of their operations and allows them to plan long-term.
Finally, crypto payments are now being integrated into SaaS and mainstream e-commerce platforms. For example, Shopify recently began supporting cryptocurrency transactions. This enables businesses to connect to ready-made solutions instead of building complex infrastructure from scratch, and to start accepting digital assets as a legitimate payment method almost immediately.
How do businesses perceive cryptocurrency payments?
In practice, businesses see crypto payments differently depending on the stage of adoption, the industry, and the market. But in most cases, the journey starts with one main motivation and then expands to include more practical considerations over time.
For many companies, the initial driver is marketing. In retail, restaurants, travel services, and digital platforms, accepting crypto is often seen as a way to showcase innovation, stand out from competitors, and attract a younger, tech-savvy audience. In this context, crypto is less about the transaction itself and more about the brand image. For example, brands like LVMH and Gucci initially emphasized their crypto-friendly status as part of their communication strategy.
As customers’ usage increases, the business perspective shifts. Companies increasingly view crypto not just as a PR tool but as a fully functional payment method. This is especially relevant in international trade, e-commerce, and digital services. For example, IT companies working with freelancers in multiple countries often switch to USDT or BTC for payments because it’s simpler, cheaper, and more predictable than traditional bank transfers.
Crypto payments have also become a testing ground for innovation. A café chain, for instance, might install crypto POS terminals in one city to measure demand, assess operational risks, and test the technology. This allows businesses to prepare for broader adoption in a gradual, low-risk way rather than making abrupt changes.
Which cryptocurrencies and networks are currently the most in demand in POS scenarios, and why?
In offline and consumer-facing businesses, stablecoins like USDT and USDC are the most widely used crypto payment methods due to their price stability. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, stablecoins allow customers and merchants to be protected from price fluctuations when making payments and storing crypto.
For tourists and digital nomads, stablecoins are often a convenient alternative to fiat because they are easy to store, spend, and transfer. According to ForumPay’s report, stablecoins rank among the top three most-used assets for paying for goods and services, including in the offline segment.
Cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and LTC also remain popular. However, unlike stablecoins, they are more commonly used for high-ticket purchases or transactions — for example, buying luxury watches, booking high-end hotels, or renting premium cars.
When it comes to networks, everyday transactions are increasingly processed through faster and cheaper blockchains such as TRON, Polygon, and BNB Chain. These offer minimal fees and high transaction speed, which is essential for payments in cafés, retail stores, and service businesses. As a result, most modern POS solutions are designed with multi-chain support by default, allowing customers to choose their preferred network at checkout.
Which Sectors Benefit from Adopting Crypto, and Who Loses Potential Revenue
How popular are cryptocurrency payments among tourists and travelers, and how can businesses in the Travel and HoReCa sectors take advantage of this trend?
Crypto payments are becoming increasingly popular among travelers, particularly those who embrace digital tools and value financial flexibility. This is not just an abstract trend but a measurable reality. According to FIS, in 2022, around 64% of Crypto.com customers chose travel as their primary way to spend cryptocurrency, yet only 25% of hospitality businesses were equipped to accept it.
The volume of travel-related bookings paid in crypto is growing rapidly. A joint report by Binance Pay and Travala shows that the number of transactions for booking trips, hotels, and car rentals rose by 78% year-over-year, from $45 million in 2023 to $80 million in 2024. Moreover, crypto travelers spend significantly more: the average booking amount is $1,211, compared to just $469 for those paying in fiat currencies.
The needs of crypto travelers are quite specific. Their top priorities include:
- Avoiding high bank fees on card payments, especially for international transactions.
- Eliminating losses from unfavorable exchange rates often found at airport or tourist-area currency exchanges.
- Using crypto as the most convenient, and sometimes the only viable, payment method in countries with currency restrictions or unstable financial systems.
For businesses in the Travel and HoReCa sectors, this is not just a trend but a tangible growth opportunity. Introducing crypto-friendly POS terminals, mobile payment solutions, or online payment gateways can deliver immediate benefits, such as:
- Higher average transaction values
- An increase in direct bookings
- Reduced reliance on intermediaries and banks
Which categories of businesses are most eager to adopt cryptocurrency payments?
Right now, we’re seeing some clear front-runners when it comes to adopting crypto payments — and it’s no coincidence. Each sector has its own specific reasons and advantages that make crypto not just an alternative payment option but a strategic growth tool.
E-commerce and the digital goods market are among the most active adopters. Their main drivers include:
- Global reach without banking restrictions
- High transaction speed
- No risk of chargebacks
Luxury brands — from high-end cars to designer fashion, fine jewelry, and other premium goods — are also embracing crypto. Here, the dynamic is different. Crypto customers, especially high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), tend to spend more, and businesses can feel the impact. There’s also a strong PR and positioning angle. The ability to buy a Bentley or a Rolex with crypto creates a powerful media hook.
The tourism and hospitality sectors are seeing significant growth as well. Crypto payments here solve multiple pain points: they remove barriers for travelers from countries with currency controls, simplify the booking process, and boost customer loyalty.
Restaurants and cafés are also actively experimenting, particularly in tourist hubs and cities with well-developed digital infrastructure. For them, one of the main draws is lower acquisition costs compared to international credit cards.
Finally, offline retail, from small stores to large chains, is gradually making the shift, especially in regions with a high flow of tourists and young, tech-savvy shoppers. Luxury retail has been leading the way here. In cities like Dubai, Miami, and Hong Kong, crypto-enabled POS terminals have already become standard practice.
Which business segments are already losing potential revenue due to the lack of cryptocurrency payment options, and why?
Recent studies and consumer behavior surveys across the EU show a clear gap between customers’ willingness to pay with crypto and the actual availability of such options. This is most visible in everyday sectors, where demand is consistent and broad.
Food, household appliances, clothing, and other everyday goods are at the top of this list. These categories make up a large share of daily spending, yet crypto payment options are still rare. Shoppers often find themselves in a situation where they have cryptocurrency but cannot use it in a given store. As a result, they either look for a place that will accept it or abandon the purchase altogether. Businesses that have not integrated crypto payments are missing out on this spending.
The same applies to the service sector. Cafés, restaurants, and bars that cannot offer crypto payments are less attractive compared to venues where such an option is available. This is particularly evident among digital nomads and younger generations who actively use digital assets.
The travel industry also has untapped potential. For example, Travala offers to make reservations for more than 2.2 million hotels using cryptocurrency. In 2024, the company generated over $103 million in gross revenue, and nearly 80% of all bookings were paid using cryptocurrencies. Platforms like Travala clearly demonstrate how crypto-friendly initiatives can boost revenue, yet many local hospitality operators still cannot accept cryptocurrency from guests.
Electronics is another underdeveloped category. Crypto users tend to spend more on tech purchases, but in offline electronics stores, the ability to pay with something like USDT is still a rarity.
How POS Infrastructure for Crypto Payments Works
What infrastructure requirements arise for offline businesses when introducing crypto payments, and what role do POS solutions play?
For offline businesses, adopting cryptocurrency payments has become much easier than just a few years ago. Thanks to ready-made solutions on the market, the process is now very similar to connecting any other payment service.
The basic flow is straightforward: the business completes onboarding with a crypto payment provider, receives a POS terminal or QR payment system, and can start accepting cryptocurrency. Settlement happens in fiat — after each transaction, the converted amount is automatically credited to the business’s bank account. For example, if a merchant paid 100 euros in crypto in store, they receive these 100 euros in their bank account.
Behind this simplicity is a well-structured infrastructure built around five key components:
- POS solution for accepting digital assets. It could be a physical terminal, a mobile app, a QR code displayed on screen, or a system integrated into a self-checkout kiosk. It must support popular assets, have an intuitive interface, and process payments quickly.
- An administrative panel for receiving and managing funds. Instead of holding cryptocurrency, the merchant is provided with a fiat account balance. The Back Office enables tracking of incoming payments, monitoring transactions, and automatically converting funds to fiat, streamlining operations, and removing the need for the business to manage crypto assets or store private keys.
- Automatic fiat conversion and transfer of funds to the merchant’s account, with the option of automatic withdrawal to the merchant’s bank account. As soon as a customer pays in cryptocurrency, the amount is instantly converted to fiat at a fixed rate and credited to the merchant’s account, with the option to be automatically withdrawn to their bank account. This ensures stability for accounting, predictability in settlements, and protects the business from cryptocurrency volatility risks.
- Compatibility with cash register equipment and accounting systems. The POS solution should be able to print fiscal receipts and, if required, support API integration. Such integration is primarily relevant for large retailers and restaurant chains that need end-to-end transaction tracking, inventory management, and regulatory compliance, while for small and medium-sized businesses, it is often not essential.
- Legal and accounting compliance. Crypto transactions should be processed as standard fiat payments. The provider acts as an intermediary, handles all crypto processing, supplies accounting reports, and ensures KYC/AML checks are in place, keeping the business fully compliant with the law. To further ensure compliance and mitigate risks, the crypto payment provider also performs KYT checks on every transaction, enabling the swift detection and prevention of suspicious activity.
How critical is the cost of implementation for small and medium-sized businesses, and how are solution providers addressing this?
For small and medium-sized businesses, cost is a key concern, but with crypto POS systems, it’s becoming less of a barrier. Today, integrating crypto payments is often cheaper than setting up a traditional card terminal.
Many providers offer free setup or rental options with no upfront hardware costs. Onboarding is straightforward, making it accessible even for microbusinesses.
Transaction fees are also typically lower than credit card processing, especially for international payments, where traditional fees can exceed 2–3%. Crypto payments often use fixed, lower-cost fees, helping businesses cut costs without sacrificing speed or convenience.
What is Holding Back Mass Adoption of Crypto POS Solutions, and What Are the Prospects for Further Development
What are the main barriers to adoption from the business side?
One of the biggest and most persistent concerns around crypto payments is legal and compliance risk. Until recently, regulation across the EU was fragmented and unclear, making adoption difficult. But with the introduction of the MiCA framework, businesses can now accept crypto legally and securely through licensed providers.
Another common misconception is that cryptocurrency’s volatility makes it too risky. In reality, most transactions are done in stablecoins, which are pegged to fiat and avoid sharp price swings. Even when customers pay in BTC or ETH, payments are usually converted instantly at a fixed rate, so businesses receive the exact checkout amount with no exposure to price changes.
A third factor is conservatism and a lack of knowledge about the crypto market. Many companies stick to traditional payment methods, viewing cryptocurrency as something niche or “just for tech people.” But the data tells a different story. According to New Trading, in 2024, around 7% of the global population were cryptocurrency users, over 560 million people. That’s more than the total number of American Express cardholders or PayPal users worldwide.
There’s also a perception that crypto payments are complicated for customers. In fact, today’s payment flows are extremely simple — usually just scanning a QR code or tapping to confirm in a wallet. Many platforms now offer 2-tap checkout experiences, making crypto as easy as any mainstream payment method.
What are the main development vectors for POS infrastructure in the near future?
Crypto POS infrastructure is evolving fast, with several shifts set to reshape the market for providers and end users. The focus is no longer just on tech stability, but also on seamless integration into business operations.
One key trend is the expansion of crypto-accepting locations. Current coverage doesn’t meet demand, and wider adoption hinges on flexible POS systems that can adapt to diverse business formats and use cases.
Another priority is automatic fiat conversion and instant bank payouts, which remain critical for merchants. This shift is supported by the rise of crypto-friendly banks that process high volumes quickly and compliantly.
Integration with cash register software and ERP platforms like SAP or Microsoft Dynamics is essential, especially for large enterprises where automated accounting and full transaction tracking are vital.
Compliance and regulation are equally important. Providers must offer fiscalization, KYC/AML, and meet national standards. Without these, scaling or entering retail networks becomes difficult.
Lastly, POS terminals are evolving into customer engagement tools, offering NFT-based loyalty programs, branded tokens, and crypto rewards, turning transactions into long-term relationships. For example, initiatives like FIFA Collect allow fans to acquire and trade officially licensed digital collectibles, showcasing how NFTs can extend brand interaction beyond the point of sale.
