Bitcoins to be accepted in all Spar supermarkets across Switzerland soon
In a groundbreaking move, Spar supermarkets in Switzerland have started accepting Bitcoin, Monero, and other cryptocurrencies as payment methods. This development, facilitated by the Lightning Network and Open Crypto Pay, could mark a significant step towards the long-awaited mass adoption of Bitcoin in retail.
The journey began with the Spar store in Kreuzlingen, where customers can now pay using Bitcoin. Following successful pilot programs in Zug, Bitcoin payments are set to roll out across all Spar stores in Switzerland.
The Lightning Network payment system, demonstrated in a video by Jens Leinert, works seamlessly. Customers simply need to scan a QR code printed at the checkout using their mobile devices. This smooth transaction process could serve as a long-overdue prototype, proving that cryptocurrency payments can work efficiently in retail environments.
Open Crypto Pay, the software used for cryptocurrency acceptance in Spar supermarkets, is an "open, license-free standard for P2P (peer-to-peer) crypto payments on all blockchains and with all crypto assets." This versatility means that every crypto asset supported by DFX, the crypto broker handling these transactions, is potentially in play with this payment system.
The widespread adoption of Bitcoin in retail, if successful, could be a significant milestone for the cryptocurrency's mainstream acceptance. Open Crypto Pay provides merchants with an API interface to DFX, allowing them to integrate crypto payments into their point-of-sale systems.
Notably, Spar supermarkets will accept Bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network using LNURL, a simple and user-friendly protocol for Lightning Network payments. This move could pave the way for other retailers to adopt Bitcoin, potentially launching the long-awaited mass adoption of Bitcoin in retail.
Cryptocurrency wallets like Cake Wallet, which supports Bitcoin, Monero, and a wide range of other cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Solana, Tron, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Polygon, and more, are expected to benefit from this development. Even wallets like Metamask, which supports any Ethereum token, are listed as "Coming Soon" for compatibility with Open Crypto Pay.
However, it's important to note that the implementation of Lightning Network payments in Spar stores needs "some improvement," as it might currently require two phones to scan the payment code. Despite this, if everything continues to work as reported, Spar will become the first supermarket chain to accept Bitcoin across the board.
This news comes as a beacon of hope for Bitcoin enthusiasts, as it signals a potential shift in the perception and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in the retail sector. For Germans living near the border, this could open up a new world of possibilities for cryptocurrency transactions, making everyday purchases more convenient and accessible.
In the words of Rahim Taghizadegan, it's possible to live on Bitcoin alone, without first needing to exchange your coins for a prepaid debit card balance. This development in Spar supermarkets could be a step towards making this vision a reality for more people. The widespread acceptance of Bitcoin in retail, if successful, could indeed mark the launch of the long-awaited mass adoption of Bitcoin in retail.
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