A new study from PayPal and the National Cryptocurrency Association paints a compelling picture of merchant adoption. The January 2026 report surveyed US merchants across multiple sectors. Four in ten merchants already accept digital asset payments.
PayPal brings significant credibility to these findings. The company operates across 200 markets worldwide. It serves 434 million active users and connects 36 million merchants globally. This reach provides unique insight into payment trends at the merchant level.
The study reveals adoption rates climb higher among larger businesses. Half of enterprises with $500 million or more in revenue accept crypto. This signals that institutional-grade companies see strategic value in digital payments.
The GOLDEN Era Has Arrived
— Ryan (King) Solomon (@IOV_OWL) January 28, 2026
PayPal: 434M users, 36M merchants, 200+ markets.
PayPal's new study shows 14 million merchants already accept crypto. 84% expect mainstream within 5 years, 31% by next year. Among those accepting? 26% of total sales. 72% saw revenue RISE.
The… pic.twitter.com/JOSKdaBSdl
Customer Demand Drives Adoption
Behind the adoption numbers lies a clear driver: customer demand. Merchants report strong and growing appetite for crypto payment options among their customer base. Nearly 88% of surveyed merchants receive customer inquiries about crypto acceptance, while almost 70% say customers want to pay with crypto at least monthly.
This demand translates directly to business results for early adopters. Seven in ten crypto-accepting merchants saw their crypto sales rise over the past year. For some merchants, crypto now represents over a quarter of total sales volume, demonstrating that digital asset payments have moved beyond novelty into meaningful revenue streams.
The competitive advantages extend beyond simply meeting customer expectations. Four in five merchants agree that accepting crypto helps attract new customers. Merchants specifically cite faster transaction speeds, enhanced security features, and improved customer privacy as the primary benefits driving their continued acceptance.
Infrastructure Remains the Key Barrier
Despite strong merchant interest, the study identifies infrastructure complexity as the primary obstacle to broader adoption. A striking 90% of merchants said they would try accepting crypto if the setup process matched credit card simplicity. This finding highlights that merchant willingness is not the issue, the technology just needs to meet them where they are.
The outlook remains optimistic despite current friction. 84% of merchants believe crypto payments will become commonplace within the next five years, with nearly a third expecting this shift within the next year alone. Certain sectors already lead the adoption curve, with hospitality, travel, digital goods, and gaming showing the strongest merchant participation.
The Path Forward
The PayPal study suggests crypto payments have reached a tipping point. Merchant willingness clearly exists. Customer demand clearly exists. The 90% of merchants waiting for simpler setup represent the next wave of adoption, and meeting their needs will determine how quickly crypto payments achieve credit card-level ubiquity.
The golden era of crypto may not arrive with fanfare. Instead, it will likely emerge quietly as merchants and customers discover they can transact value more efficiently. PayPal’s data suggests that era is approaching faster than many industry observers expected.
Key Takeaways
- 39% of US merchants currently accept cryptocurrency payments
- 50% of large enterprises ($500M+ revenue) already accept crypto
- 84% of merchants believe crypto payments will be commonplace within five years
- 90% would try accepting crypto if setup matched credit card simplicity
Disclaimer: News content provided by Genfinity is intended solely for informational purposes. While we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, we do not offer financial or legal advice of any kind. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or legal decisions. Genfinity disclaims any responsibility for actions taken based on the information presented in our articles. Our commitment is to share knowledge, foster discussion, and contribute to a better understanding of the topics covered in our articles. We advise our readers to exercise caution and diligence when seeking information or making decisions based on the content we provide.
