A new PayPal survey is painting a clear picture of where U.S. payments are headed — and crypto is rapidly moving from the fringe to the checkout counter.
According to the data, nearly 40% of U.S. merchants now accept cryptocurrency payments, a shift driven overwhelmingly by customer demand.
PayPal’s VP May Zabaneh says the trend is unmistakable: crypto payments aren’t an experiment anymore — they’re becoming part of everyday commerce. Once businesses flip the switch, many report real benefits in speed, flexibility, and customer engagement.
What’s even more striking is merchant confidence in the future.
84% believe crypto payments will become mainstream within five years, and major brands like Starbucks, Walmart, and Home Depot are already ahead of the curve.
Among merchants already using crypto, digital asset payments make up an average 26% of total sales, suggesting that consumers will spend crypto when given the opportunity. Younger demographics, especially Millennials and Gen Z, continue to drive the trend across industries like travel, digital goods, hospitality, and gaming.
To meet the demand, PayPal recently expanded its crypto checkout tools, allowing U.S. businesses to accept over 100 different cryptocurrencies — but the company stresses that mass adoption hinges on making crypto as easy as a credit card swipe.
As Ripple’s Stu Alderoty puts it: “Interest isn’t the problem — understanding is.”
With infrastructure improving and consumer demand accelerating, crypto payments are quickly moving toward the mainstream reality merchants have been predicting for years.
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