Crypto acceptance remains below 1% among euro area merchants
Crypto assets and stablecoins have shown virtually no momentum at physical points of sale, with acceptance remaining below 1% in both 2024 and 2026.
Consumer preference was the biggest factor companies considered when choosing which payment methods to accept, followed by security and ease of handling.
The ECB survey found that most companies reject cash due to weak customer demand, difficulties depositing or withdrawing it, and security risks.
The longer-term outlook varies sharply by country, with some small and medium-sized enterprises considering stopping cash acceptance