SPAR grocer to launch Bitcoin payments across Switzerland after successful pilot in two locations

SPAR supermarket chain is rolling out BTC payments across Switzerland after a successful pilot in Zug and Kreuzlingen.

According to a recent update from crypto services firm DFX Swiss, SPAR grocery stores will soon expand their acceptance of Bitcoin (BTC) as a payment option across Switzerland. SPAR’s crypto payment system is powered by OpenCryptoPay, a platform developed by DFX Swiss, which uses the Bitcoin Lightning Network to enable fast and low-cost transactions. To complete their purchase, shoppers simply scan a static QR code presented by the cashier on checkout.

The move follows successful internal trials in two locations — first Zug, and then Kreuzlingen. “Zug was just the prototype location — we will soon be rolling it out throughout Switzerland,” OpenCryptoPay said on X.

The BTC pilot at SPAR comes amid wider discussions in Switzerland about Bitcoin’s role in the national economy. While adoption at the consumer level gains momentum, the Swiss National Bank remains cautious.

Earlier this week, SNB Chairman Martin Schlegel reaffirmed the central bank’s position, dismissing calls to add Bitcoin to Switzerland’s currency reserves. Speaking at a shareholder meeting in Bern on April 25, Schlegel said that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin do not yet meet the necessary stability and security requirements for reserve assets.

Meanwhile, Switzerland’s reputation as a global crypto hub continues to strengthen. Zug’s Crypto Valley, home to hundreds of crypto startups including Ethereum (ETH), has recently surpassed a $593 billion valuation and saw the emergence of 17 new crypto unicorns in 2024 alone.