At SPAR supermarkets in Switzerland, customers can now pay with ADA, the native token of the Cardano blockchain, which was integrated into the retailer’s payment infrastructure. Payments are processed in real time without the involvement of centralized exchanges.
The Cardano Foundation announced the integration of the Cardano blockchain into Swiss platform DFX.swiss, which enables secure and fast crypto exchange directly from a bank account. The initiative will allow payments in ADA tokens to be accepted in 137 SPAR retail supermarkets across Switzerland.
The integration is implemented through the Open Crypto Pay standard developed by DFX.swiss. With Cardano now connected, customers will be able to pay for purchases at the checkout using ADA tokens directly from their native wallets.
The Open Crypto Pay technological model enables direct transaction processing without centralized intermediaries. According to Cyrill Thommen, CEO of DFX.swiss, the fee when using this solution is roughly two-thirds lower compared to services provided by traditional card and payment providers. He also noted that Open Crypto Pay significantly reduces acquiring and settlement costs.
Everyday use of ADA is supported by the expanded infrastructure of DFX.swiss, which creates a direct link between the banking system and the Cardano ecosystem. Users can purchase or convert tokens into fiat directly through a platform account without additional intermediaries.
The DFX.swiss infrastructure also powers savings app urble by Swiss FinTech company Brick Towers. The service focuses on long-term savings strategies using ADA and allows users to set specific savings goals, including funds for children or other family members.
The Cardano Foundation CEO Frederik Gregaard noted that the initiative represents the first full-scale implementation of ADA in offline retail at a national level. He also emphasized that integration with DFX.swiss and the ability to pay through urble aim to create a closed ecosystem combining payments and savings in digital assets.
Ralph Hofacker, Co-CEO of Brick Towers, stated that launching ADA payments in supermarkets will help move blockchain solutions from a niche segment into everyday use. According to him, the goal is to transform digital assets from a speculative instrument into a daily financial tool.
Back in 2022, analysts found that users’ emotional connection with the Cardano blockchain project was stronger than with other crypto projects and even some popular global brands. Moreover, in 2024, the Cardano network transitioned to a decentralized governance system following the successful Chang hard fork.
