ECB survey: Crypto payments remain rare in euro area

ECB survey: Crypto payments remain rare in the euro area, with only 0.2% of online businesses and less than 1% of physical stores accepting them. Cash and mobile payments still dominate.

A recent European Central Bank (ECB) survey of 8,205 businesses across 21 euro area countries found that crypto assets and stablecoins remain rarely used as payment methods. Only 0.2% of companies selling goods and services online accept crypto, while acceptance at physical points of sale stayed below 1% in both 2024 and 2026. In contrast, cash acceptance increased from 90% to 92%, and mobile payment acceptance at physical locations surged from 36% in 2024 to 68% in 2026. Physical card acceptance also rose slightly, while bank check acceptance declined. Key factors influencing payment method choices included consumer preference, security, and ease of use. The survey, conducted by Ipsos between February and April, covered sectors such as retail, hospitality, and entertainment. The findings highlight that, despite the growth of digital payments, crypto remains marginal among euro area businesses.