Crypto payments are steadily moving into the U.S. retail mainstream, according to new data from the National Cryptocurrency Association, which shows that a growing share of merchants now accept digital assets at checkout as customer demand continues to rise.
The report, which is made in collaboration with PayPal and HarrisPoll, indicates that 39% of U.S. merchants already support crypto payments, with adoption climbing to 50% among large enterprises, signaling that crypto is increasingly being treated as a practical payment option rather than a speculative tool.
Key Takeaways
39% of U.S. merchants accept crypto payments, rising to 50% among large enterprises.
Crypto accounts for around 26% of total sales for merchants that accept it, with 72% reporting growth over the past year.
88% of merchants say customers have asked about paying with crypto.
90% of businesses would accept crypto if setup were as simple as credit card payments.
The findings highlight a broader shift in how businesses and consumers view cryptocurrency. While crypto has long been associated with speculative trading and price volatility, the data suggests that this perception is gradually weakening as real-world usage expands. Merchants that accept crypto report that digital assets now account for roughly 26% of their total sales on average, and 72% say crypto-related transactions increased over the past year, indicating sustained growth rather than one-off experimentation.
Consumer demand drives adoption
One of the strongest signals in the report is the role of consumer behavior in pushing adoption forward. According to the survey, 88% of merchants say customers have asked whether crypto payments are available, while 69% report that customers want the option to pay with crypto at least once a month. Many businesses also view crypto acceptance as a competitive advantage, with nearly four in five agreeing that it helps attract new customers.
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
Adoption is particularly pronounced in sectors such as hospitality and travel, digital goods and gaming, and retail e-commerce, where digitally native consumers are more likely to expect flexible payment options. These categories now lead crypto payment usage, reinforcing the idea that crypto is integrating first where online commerce and cross-border transactions are already common.
Utility over speculation
The report also sheds light on why merchants value crypto payments beyond customer demand. Faster transaction speeds, access to new audiences, improved security features, and enhanced privacy for customers rank among the most cited reasons for adoption. These factors align closely with traditional payment infrastructure priorities, further challenging the notion that crypto’s primary role is speculative.
Despite this progress, the data shows that widespread adoption still hinges on ease of use. A large majority of merchants, around 90%, say they would be likely to accept crypto if the setup process were as simple as credit card payments. This suggests that the remaining barriers are largely technical and operational rather than driven by distrust or lack of interest.
Looking ahead, expectations continue to rise. While about a third of respondents believe crypto payments are already common or will become so within the next year, 84% expect them to be a standard payment method within five years. If onboarding and payment infrastructure continue to improve, the report suggests crypto’s transition from speculative asset to everyday payment tool is likely to accelerate.
