tl;dr
Spar supermarkets in Switzerland are set to expand Bitcoin payments nationwide after successful pilots at locations in Zug and Kreuzlingen using DFX Swiss's OpenCryptoPay platform via the Lightning Network. This move positions Spar as one of the first major Swiss supermarket chains to accept direct ...
Spar supermarkets in Switzerland are expanding Bitcoin payments nationwide following successful pilots using DFX Swiss’s OpenCryptoPay platform. The initial trials at Spar locations in Zug and Kreuzlingen, utilizing the Lightning Network, have positioned Spar as one of the first major Swiss supermarket chains to accept direct Bitcoin payments. This rollout is part of a broader trend of growing Bitcoin acceptance in Switzerland.
Over 600 Swiss businesses now support crypto payments, with cities like Zug and Lugano integrating Bitcoin for tax payments and municipal services. Zug has been accepting Bitcoin for taxes since 2020, while Lugano added Bitcoin and stablecoin payments in 2022, establishing Switzerland as a leading European hub for real-world cryptocurrency adoption.
Despite this progress, the Swiss National Bank remains skeptical about incorporating Bitcoin into national reserves, citing volatility concerns. At their recent annual shareholder meeting, SNB Chairman Martin Schlegel stated that cryptocurrency currently does not meet the requirements for currency reserves. In contrast, a citizen-led initiative aims to amend the Swiss Constitution to mandate Bitcoin holdings alongside gold in the central bank’s reserves, requiring 100,000 signatures to potentially reach a national referendum.
This local surge in Bitcoin acceptance mirrors global trends; for instance, Panama City recently approved legislation allowing residents to pay taxes, permits, fines, and other fees with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDC and Tether. Spar’s nationwide expansion of Bitcoin payments underscores how cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly integrated into everyday commercial and municipal transactions.
“Just scan a static QR code, send sats, immediate and easy registration by the cashier,” noted Rahim Taghizadegan, director of Bitcoin Association Switzerland, following testing of the payment process. As Bitcoin payments grow in accessibility and adoption, Spar’s move may inspire other retailers across Switzerland to follow suit in leveraging cryptocurrency for daily commerce.