The idea that crypto is just some experiment is pretty much a thing of the past.
By early 2026, merchants that accept crypto reached nearly 40% of the U.S. market, turning what used to be a tech curiosity into a standard part of doing business.
Maybe you’re a founder trying to keep your edge, or perhaps you’re just a customer wondering where your wallet works; either way, these 10 names are the ones to watch.
Related Reads: Cryptocurrency payment gateways, risks associated with trading cryptocurrency.
How Do Crypto Payments Actually Work for Merchants?
When a customer pays with cryptocurrency, the process is straightforward. The merchant’s payment gateway generates a unique wallet address or QR code for that transaction.
The customer scans the code using their crypto wallet, confirms the amount and network fee, and the transaction broadcasts to the blockchain.
Depending on the network used, confirmation can take anywhere from a few seconds on networks like Solana or TRON to a few minutes on Bitcoin or Ethereum.
The merchant either holds the crypto or converts it to local fiat currency automatically, depending on their gateway settings.
This seamless flow is why adoption is accelerating.
As one industry report noted, 90% of merchants say they would accept crypto if the setup process were as simple as accepting a credit card.
Modern payment tools have gotten very close to that.
The 10 Prominent Merchants That Accept Crypto Payments
1. Microsoft
Microsoft accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Gemini USD through its online store. Customers can use crypto to purchase games, apps, Xbox content, and subscriptions.
Microsoft was one of the earliest major corporations to integrate digital asset payments, and it continues to maintain that infrastructure as of 2026.
2. AT&T
AT&T holds the distinction of being the first major U.S. telecom to accept cryptocurrency, a milestone it reached back in 2019.
Through its integration with BitPay, customers can pay monthly phone bills using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and other supported coins.
This remains one of the most practical everyday use cases for crypto payments.
3. Newegg
Newegg, the popular electronics and computer hardware retailer, accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Dogecoin for all purchases.
Tech-savvy shoppers have been using crypto on Newegg for years, and the retailer continues to be one of the most straightforward places to spend digital assets on real-world goods.
4. Overstock (Now Beyond)
Overstock, now rebranded as Beyond, was the first major U.S. retailer to accept Bitcoin.
It paved the way for mainstream e-commerce adoption and still processes payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and XRP. Its legacy in the crypto payments space is significant.
5. AMC Theatres
AMC Theatres began accepting crypto in 2021 and supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu for online ticket purchases.
It is one of the most visible examples of a traditional entertainment brand fully integrating digital asset payments.
6. Steak ‘n Shake
Steak ‘n Shake became one of the first fast-food chains to accept Bitcoin across all U.S. locations at scale in May 2025.
This milestone marked a meaningful shift for brick-and-mortar food service, showing that crypto payments are not just an online phenomenon.
7. Shopify Merchants
Shopify itself is not a single retailer but a platform that enables hundreds of thousands of merchants to accept crypto through integrations with Coinbase Commerce, BitPay, Strike, and OpenNode.
Shopify is the highest-valued non-U.S. corporation to accept cryptocurrency, with a market value of over $125 billion. Any merchant on Shopify can enable crypto checkout with minimal setup.
8. Gucci
Luxury fashion house Gucci now accepts 12 different cryptocurrencies across all its U.S. stores.
Along with Balenciaga and TAG Heuer, Gucci represents the growing appetite among high-end brands to serve crypto-native, high-net-worth customers.
Payments are processed via QR code at checkout.
9. Twitch
Twitch, the leading live-streaming platform, allows content creators to receive payments and subscriptions in over a dozen cryptocurrencies through NOWPayments.
This has made it a go-to platform for crypto-native streamers and gaming communities looking to support their favourite creators without traditional payment rails.
10. Tesla (Tesla Shop)
Tesla accepts Dogecoin for select merchandise through the Tesla Shop.
While Tesla famously paused Bitcoin payments for vehicle purchases in 2021 due to environmental concerns, the company has continued to expand its crypto payment footprint through its retail channel, reflecting Elon Musk’s ongoing engagement with the digital asset space.
Read Also: How to buy cryptocurrency with a debit card, how to donate crypto to charity?
Are There Any Gaps Worth Knowing About?
Amazon and Walmart, two of the largest retailers on earth, do not currently accept crypto directly.
However, platforms like Bitrefill allow users to purchase gift cards for 750+ merchants using Bitcoin and other digital assets, making it possible to spend crypto at virtually any retailer indirectly.
This workaround matters because it means crypto holders are not truly locked out of mainstream retail. It also highlights the opportunity for businesses that do integrate payments natively.
They get a direct relationship with crypto-paying customers rather than losing them to intermediary platforms.
Advantages for Merchants
Here are a few advantages of crypto payments for merchants:
Lower transaction costs
Accepting crypto payments can reduce transaction fees for merchants, particularly for cross-border transactions.
Expanded customer base
Merchants can attract tech-savvy customers who prefer using digital currencies by accepting cryptocurrencies.
Faster settlement
Cryptocurrency transactions can be settled quickly, allowing merchants to receive funds faster compared to traditional payment methods.
Challenges
While there are several advantages of crypto payments to merchants, below are a few disadvantages.
Price volatility
Cryptocurrencies are known for their price volatility, which can pose a challenge for merchants when setting prices and managing cash flow.
Limited adoption
Although the number of merchants accepting crypto payments is growing, it is still relatively small compared to traditional payment methods.
Regulatory concerns
Cryptocurrency regulations vary by country, and merchants may need to navigate legal complexities when accepting crypto payments.
Final Thoughts
The merchants listed above did not get ahead by waiting. They moved early, built the infrastructure, and are now capturing a growing segment of customers who prefer to pay with digital assets.
If you want your business to do the same, UPay makes it simple.
UPay is built for businesses that want to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and other cryptocurrencies without the technical complexity, high fees, or slow settlement times of legacy payment processors.
