Your next grocery run in Switzerland could be powered by crypto…
Global grocery chain Spar has introduced the ability to pay for groceries in cryptocurrencies. Spar has teamed up with Binance Pay and DFX.swiss. Shoppers can purchase items using stablecoins and Bitcoin.
The service is already available at 100 Spar stores, with plans to roll it out to all locations in the coming months. Once complete, Switzerland will become the world’s first country with a crypto payment network for retail use.
How It Works
Paying with crypto at Spar is straightforward:
- Scan a QR code at checkout using the Binance Pay app.
- Select your preferred token.
- Make a deposit via the DFX.swiss interface—where the amount is converted to Swiss francs instantly and without gas fees.
This setup is cost-effective for merchants, potentially reducing card commission fees by up to two-thirds, according to Spar Switzerland Managing Director André Scherrer.
Switzerland’s Crypto-Friendly Landscape
Switzerland has long been a hub for crypto adoption. More than 1,000 retailers accept Bitcoin, and even the municipal government of Lugano accepts payment of municipal charges in BTC and USDT.
Spar’s move follows its 2024 pilot in Zug, where the first Spar store accepted Bitcoin via the Lightning Network.
“The future of retail is smart wallet payment solutions, driven by growing consumer demand for flexibility,” said Scherrer.
Why This Matters
From a business standpoint, crypto payments reduce cost and simplify settlement. For customers, it brings them one step closer to using crypto like cash—not just an investment.
Switzerland could become Europe’s most crypto-friendly nation as more major retailers follow Spar’s lead. Soon, you might be buying bread, milk, and pasta and paying for it with Bitcoin.
