ECB finds crypto payment acceptance marginal among euro area firms

The ECB conducted 8,205 interviews across all 21 euro area countries. The survey covered companies selling to consumers in retail, restaurants and cafes, hotels, and the arts, entertainment and recreation sector. The findings, therefore, do not represent every company in the euro area or the wider EU economy.

Traditional and mainstream digital payment methods remained far more widely available. Among companies that accept payments at physical locations, 92% accept cash and 88% accept cards. Mobile payment acceptance increased from 36% in 2024 to 68% in 2026.

For online sales, 82% of companies accepted cards and 74% accepted credit transfers. The comparison indicates that the broader expansion of digital payments has largely involved established payment instruments rather than crypto-assets.

Low acceptance followed the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, which became applicable to crypto-asset service providers in December 2024. MiCA establishes requirements for issuers and service providers, but does not directly promote or require merchant acceptance of crypto payments.

Why does it matter?

The ECB findings distinguish the rapid digitalisation of payments from the adoption of crypto as an everyday means of exchange. Mobile payments have expanded sharply, while merchant acceptance of crypto-assets remains marginal.

Regulatory clarity can establish safeguards and common operating rules, but it does not create consumer demand or a commercial reason for businesses to add a payment method. Wider acceptance may also depend on integration costs, settlement arrangements, volatility and whether companies see advantages over existing cards, transfers and mobile payment services.

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