Swiss Supermarket Chain Spar Embraces Bitcoin Payments in Zug
In a historic move that merges tradition with innovation, Spar supermarket in Zug, Switzerland, is now accepting Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network—a sign that crypto is becoming part of everyday life.
Zug Spar Shoppers Can Now Pay in Bitcoin
In a landmark development for cryptocurrency adoption in the retail world, Spar, a global grocery retailer, has enabled direct Bitcoin payments at checkout in its Zug branch. The service went live this week and was announced by DFX Swiss, a firm specializing in crypto-to-fiat payment solutions.
“This SPAR location is among the first supermarkets in Switzerland where you can pay directly at the checkout using Bitcoin (via LNURL),” DFX stated, calling the system an open P2P standard for in-person crypto payments.
The store is now listed on BTC Map, a user-driven platform that showcases physical locations where Bitcoin is accepted. This reflects Switzerland’s ongoing transformation into a crypto-friendly haven in Europe.
A Seamless Experience with QR Code Simplicity
Gone are the days of clunky wallets and slow confirmations. According to Rahim Taghizadegan, director at Bitcoin Association Switzerland, the new Spar setup offers a seamless, user-friendly payment experience.
“Just scan a static QR code, send sats. Immediate and easy registration by the cashier,” he shared on LinkedIn. He used Phoenix Wallet but noted that “pretty much anything works.”
This frictionless setup may prove essential to convincing more users to embrace crypto as a legitimate form of daily payment—and could lead to a national rollout if user adoption is strong.
Bitcoin Is Going Mainstream in Switzerland
Switzerland is no stranger to crypto innovation. The city of Lugano adopted Bitcoin and Tether (USDT) for municipal payments in 2023, and now over 1,000 Swiss businesses accept Bitcoin, per BTCmap.
The Spar supermarket group, which operates over 13,900 stores across 48 countries with 14.7 million daily shoppers, marks a significant leap for crypto credibility.
“Bitcoin adoption among retail giants could shift public trust dramatically,” said one analyst, emphasizing how mainstream brands legitimizing Bitcoin could accelerate global adoption.
Crypto Valley Keeps Breaking Records
Switzerland’s influence on the blockchain ecosystem goes beyond retail. The country’s Crypto Valley, centered in Zug, is home to over 50 top crypto firms, including Ethereum, Cardano, and Casper. In 2024, Crypto Valley surpassed $593 billion in combined valuation, a 55% jump year-over-year.
Of those, 17 companies have reached unicorn status, reflecting the region’s growing influence and investor confidence in blockchain technology.
As crypto continues to move from niche to necessity, the success of initiatives like Spar’s Bitcoin integration may soon become a global retail standard rather than a regional novelty.
Share This
