PayPal: Crypto Payments Going Mainstream Across US Stores

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PayPal Finds Crypto Payments Going Mainstream Across US Stores

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Key Takeaways

About 40% of US merchants now accept crypto payments, driven by strong consumer demand for flexible payment options;
Nearly 90% of merchants have received crypto-related inquiries, and 84% believe it will be mainstream within five years;
Crypto payments account for 26% of sales among adopters, with Gen Z and Millennials leading use across travel, gaming, and digital goods.

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PayPal Finds Crypto Payments Going Mainstream Across US Stores

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A recent PayPal report shows that about 40% of American merchants allow customers to pay with digital currencies at checkout.

Nearly 90% of merchants said shoppers have asked about paying with crypto, according to data from the National Cryptocurrency Association.

The study, conducted in October, surveyed 619 people responsible for payment decisions across industries.

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PayPal’s vice president and GM, May Zabaneh, noted that digital currency payments are no longer just an experiment.

She added, "Adoption is being driven by customer demand for faster, more flexible ways to pay, and once businesses start accepting crypto, they see real value".

About 84% of surveyed merchants think crypto will become a common way to pay within the next five years. Around one-third of midsized and small businesses said they already accept crypto.

Among merchants who have adopted crypto, these transactions make up about 26% of their total sales.

Millennials and Gen Z are the main groups choosing this payment method, and the highest adoption rates are seen across industries such as hospitality, travel, gaming, and digital goods.

However, PayPal noted that using crypto for payments is still not as simple as using a credit card. Around 90% of merchants said they would consider trying it if the setup process were easier and more straightforward.

Meanwhile, Coinbase $1.38B reported that most large investors still believe Bitcoin BTC $89,212.59 trades cheaper than it should. What did the company say? Read the full story.