What is a Cryptocurrency Merchant

In 2025, the term “crypto merchant” has become increasingly common. Behind this complex name lies a fairly simple idea that helps businesses operate faster and more cheaply. Cryptocurrency is no longer just a topic in the news; it has become a convenient tool used by both large corporations and small online stores around the world. Below, we will examine which companies already accept payments in cryptocurrency and how they do it.

What Is a Crypto Merchant?

Imagine a regular store clerk or clothing website owner. If they only accept cash or cards, they are a regular merchant. But as soon as they add the option to pay for purchases with digital coins, they become a crypto merchant.

A crypto merchant is any company or individual who sells goods or services and officially accepts payments in cryptocurrency. To do this, they don't need to build complex systems from scratch. Usually, they simply connect a special “assistant” to their website — a crypto payment gateway that takes care of all the technical work of accepting cryptocurrency as a payment.

Benefits of Accepting Cryptocurrencies as a Payment

Why are more and more entrepreneurs deciding to become crypto merchants? It's not just a trend but sound judgment. In 2026, this payment method has several significant advantages over traditional banks.

• Savings on fees. When paying by card, the bank charges a commission on the payment amount for acquiring. If a client makes a payment from abroad, the fee can increase, reaching 4 to 8%. In comparison, crypto merchants pay much less. Cryptocurrency payment gateways typically have lower fees, allowing companies to earn more or offer discounts to their customers.

• Fast payment processing. A standard bank transfer can take 3 to 5 business days. With cryptocurrency, everything happens much faster: most transactions are confirmed within minutes, and almost always the process takes less than an hour. This helps businesses avoid downtime and put their proceeds into circulation faster.

• Work with the entire world without borders. Banks may close on weekends or holidays, and international transfers can take up to five days. Cryptocurrency is always available—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For sellers, this means they can sell their products to anyone on the planet with an internet connection, without waiting for bank approval.

• Attracting new customers. Adding cryptocurrency as a payment method increases customer acquisition by fostering loyalty among buyers who want to use digital assets. Customers often choose stores that accept digital currencies simply because they find it more convenient and familiar.

• Privacy and security. When accepting card payments, you share a significant amount of data with the bank. When accepting cryptocurrency payments, the transaction occurs "covertly". This ensures the confidentiality of the transaction for both the buyer and the seller.

What Do You Need to Become a Cryptocurrency Merchant?

Becoming a crypto merchant is much easier today than it was five years ago. The process has become clear and accessible, even for those without programming experience. Here are the main things you should consider.

• Choosing a payment acceptance method. There are two main options. The first: connect to a ready-made payment gateway. This is similar to installing a regular card terminal, only online. The service will automatically create buttons for your website, generate QR codes for payments, and can even immediately convert received crypto into stablecoins, so your business is not dependent on exchange rate fluctuations. The second option is accepting payments directly into your wallets by providing your customers with your personal wallet address. This method is only suitable for small businesses with low turnover.

• Legal compliance and regulations. To operate officially, a merchant must confirm that their business is legal. This process is called KYB (Know Your Business). You will need to provide your company's documents to the payment service. Complying with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations is also important when choosing a platform: modern systems automatically check whether incoming funds are linked to any suspicious transactions.

• Choosing an integration option. It's crucial to choose a convenient payment integration format that's suitable for your website or app. For example, Cryptomus offers a variety of integration options, from APIs (for customization by developers) to ready-made plugins for popular e-commerce systems that can be connected without coding.

• Taxes and reporting. In most countries, cryptocurrency is considered property. This means that the seller must record the price of the coin at the time of sale to properly report it to the tax authorities. Many modern merchant services can generate such reports automatically. Be sure to check the current cryptocurrency tax situation in your country.

• Security. A good merchant always takes care of the security of funds. This is achieved by using cold wallets (devices similar to flash drives that are not constantly connected to the internet) and 2FA verification. If a business has everything set up correctly, it can begin accepting payments within a few days of launch.

Popular Crypto Merchants

Today, hundreds of well-known global brands have become crypto merchants. This proves that the technology is reliable and convenient for millions of people. Here are 10 striking examples of companies that accept crypto.

1. Microsoft. This huge IT giant began accepting Bitcoin back in 2014. Today, you can use the digital currency to top up your balance and purchase Xbox games, computer software, or office service subscriptions. The company supports not only Bitcoin but also other popular coins.

2. AT&T. One of the largest telecommunications companies in the world (USA); it has allowed its customers to pay their mobile phone and internet bills with cryptocurrency through the BitPay system. This is very convenient for those who want to manage all their expenses from a single digital wallet.

3. Tesla. The well-known electric car manufacturer, led by Elon Musk, actively supports innovation. Today, you can buy branded accessories, clothing, and souvenirs in their online store using Dogecoin (DOGE). The company has become a symbol of how crypto is becoming a part of everyday life for drivers.

4. Twitch. The popular platform for live streaming and video games allows viewers to support their favorite creators and purchase the site's native currency with cryptocurrency. Since Twitch's audience is predominantly young, this payment method has become very popular.

5. Starbucks. The famous coffee shop chain has implemented cryptocurrency payments through a dedicated Bakkt app. Customers can convert their digital assets into Starbucks card balances and buy coffee. They have also launched a loyalty program where they receive unique digital tokens (NFTs) for purchases.

6. Newegg. One of the world's leading retailers for computer hardware and electronics, they were among the first to offer merchants and now accept almost all digital currencies. For those who build their own computers, paying in crypto has become commonplace.

7. AirBaltic. The Latvian airline made history as the first airline to sell tickets with Bitcoin. This allows travelers from all over the world to book flights without the hassle of exchanging currency at banks.

8. ExpressVPN. A secure internet service has logically decided to accept anonymous payments. Customers can pay for their connection using Bitcoin and other currencies, maintaining complete privacy.

9. Jomashop. If you're looking to buy a luxury Swiss watch or a designer bag, this store accepts cryptocurrency. This helps customers make large purchases quickly, without running into the limits of traditional bank cards.

10. AMC Theatres. The world's largest movie theater chain officially accepts cryptocurrency for tickets and popcorn. According to the company itself, by 2025, approximately 14% of all their online sales will be made using digital assets, Apple Pay, and other modern methods.

Crypto merchants today aren't just "stores of the future"; they're the reality. While each country has its own rules, the general trend is clear: paying with digital money is becoming increasingly widespread and regulated, opening up new horizons for businesses and helping them save money.

We hope this article has helped you understand crypto merchants. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments!