Crypto assets remain a marginal payment option for businesses in the euro area, according to a European Central Bank survey of merchant acceptance practices. Only 0.2% of companies selling goods and services online reported accepting crypto, while acceptance at physical locations stayed below 1% in both 2024 and 2026.

The findings come from telephone interviews with 8,205 businesses across all 21 euro area countries. Market research firm Ipsos conducted the survey between February 23 and April 10, covering retail, restaurants and cafes, hotels, and arts, entertainment and recreation venues.

Online and Physical Acceptance Rates

Among companies with online sales, 0.2% said they accept crypto assets. By comparison, 82% accepted payment cards and 74% accepted credit transfers. At physical points of sale, cash remained the most widely accepted method at 92% in 2026, up slightly from 90% in 2024. Physical card acceptance rose to 88% from 87% over the same period.

Crypto assets and stablecoins showed no meaningful change, remaining under 1% acceptance at physical locations in both years. The survey cited examples including Bitcoin, Ether and Tether’s USDt when asking about crypto and stablecoin acceptance.

Mobile payments recorded the sharpest increase. Acceptance at physical locations climbed to 68% in 2026 from 36% in 2024. Instant payments and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay ranked among the most commonly accepted mobile options. Acceptance of bank checks declined to 27% from 36%.

Merchant Decision Factors

Consumer preference ranked as the top factor when businesses choose which payment methods to accept, cited by 26% of respondents. Security followed at 22%, and ease of handling at 15%.

Among companies that do not accept cash, the leading reasons were weak customer demand at 36%, difficulties depositing or withdrawing cash at 35%, and security risks at 29%. Longer-term expectations about cash varied by country. Among cash-accepting small and medium-sized enterprises, 51% in Cyprus said they may stop accepting cash, compared with 23% in Greece and 18% in Bulgaria. Overall, 92% of cash-accepting companies expected to continue accepting it for the next five years.

Survey Scope and Measurement Questions

The survey asked companies whether they accept crypto assets or stablecoins. Some payment services allow customers to pay with crypto while merchants receive settlement in traditional currency. The questionnaire did not specify whether such arrangements should be counted as crypto acceptance.

When asked whether euro area merchants are permitted to accept crypto under European Union rules, the central bank stated it does not set payment regulation and directed inquiries to the European Commission and national lawmakers.

Broader Payment Trends and Digital Euro Context

The results appear as the European Central Bank continues work on a digital euro, a central bank digital currency intended to complement cash. The survey provides a baseline showing that merchant acceptance has concentrated around established digital methods such as cards and mobile wallets rather than crypto assets or stablecoins.

Payment patterns continue to evolve unevenly. Mobile options have expanded rapidly at physical locations while cash retains broad acceptance and crypto remains near zero in reported merchant adoption across the euro area.