SPAR Switzerland has started allowing shoppers to pay with Bitcoin at checkout, a move that brings cryptocurrency into everyday grocery shopping. According to the company’s announcement and follow-up, this rollout has already been implemented in more than 100 SPAR stores and is scheduled to expand to more than 300 stores nationwide.
Store now accepts cryptocurrencies
Paying at the register is easy. Customers scan DFX.swiss’s “OpenCryptoQR” with a supported wallet such as Binance Pay, select a cryptocurrency from a long list, and confirm the payment on their mobile phone.
The system reportedly supports over 100 cryptocurrencies and DFX.swiss converts payments into Swiss Francs on the spot, allowing merchants to receive fiat rather than cryptocurrencies.
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Distributors work to reduce costs
According to development materials, merchants could cut fees by about two-thirds compared to traditional card processing. Using Binance Pay in the checkout flow is described as making transactions gas-free, with proponents claiming that the process will be both affordable for retailers and faster for customers.
Cryptocurrency payments are now possible with the SPAR app! @SPARInt is officially rolling out crypto payments with a brand new Swiss app.
We are very pleased that SPAR has integrated our services. @OpenCryptoPay Build your solution into your app and make crypto payments accessible to everyone.
It’s so easy to get started… pic.twitter.com/wBM0k7mUKP
— DFX (@DFX_swiss) December 1, 2025
Bitcoin Lightning pilot test conducted in Zug
The broader effort follows testing earlier this year. According to reports, SPAR first trialled Bitcoin payments at a store in Zug, using the Lightning Network to make small payments instantly and cheaply. The pilot is cited as part of what convinced partners to move forward with a larger rollout.
Just In: Grocery retailer Giant Spur announces integration #bitcoin Lightning strikes Swiss app
It has 13,900 stores in 48 countries. Amazing🔥 pic.twitter.com/qZFbWTS5Zl
— Bitcoin Historian (@pete_rizzo_) December 1, 2025
How shoppers use it
Those who already own cryptocurrencies will be able to use them to purchase everyday items such as bread and milk. According to press materials, all shoppers need is a smartphone with a supported wallet app. For those who prefer stablecoins, the system supports coins pegged to the major dollars and euros, which are converted at checkout to avoid retailers being exposed to price fluctuations.
What to look out for in the coming months
According to the report, the initial rollout will target more than 100 stores and aims to cover the entire SPAR network of approximately 300 stores in Switzerland, although a full completion date has not yet been disclosed.
Observers will be tracking how many customers in supermarkets actually use cryptocurrencies, how smoothly exchanges for Swiss francs occur in crowded stores, and whether lower fees translate into savings for shoppers and higher profit margins for stores.
Featured image from Payments Journal, chart from TradingView
