Crypto payment is no longer a niche phenomenon. Their growing adoption signifies a pivotal shift, highlighting crypto’s central role in global business transactions. In this study, NFTEvening partnered with Storible to explore global crypto payment adoption and its benefits for businesses.
Key Findings
- In 2024, 12,834 merchants worldwide accepted cryptocurrency payments, up 50% from 2023.
- 88% of businesses reported higher revenue after accepting crypto payment.
- 76% of business owners preferred holding crypto over converting immediately to fiat.
- Europe had 5,677 businesses accepting crypto payments, leading the world.
- In 2024, crypto payment acceptance increased the most in El Salvador, adding 686 locations.
- The most crypto-accepting businesses were in Brazil, with 1,292.
Methodology
To map the global adoption of crypto payments, we collected data from BTCMap.org. Additionally, to gain deeper insights from businesses accepting crypto, we surveyed 1,009 business owners that integrate crypto payment via the Prolific platform.
Data collection occurred between February 28 and March 7, 2025.
Global Crypto Payment Explosion
Worldwide merchant adoption surged dramatically, growing from 8,571 in 2023 to 12,834 in 2024 – a remarkable increase of nearly 50%. Europe leads the charge, boasting 5,677 locations, followed closely by the Americas with 5,362.
Europe remains the epicenter for crypto payments, with the highest numeric increase in locations (2,029 new locations), emphasizing the region’s openness to crypto-friendly business environments. Yet, the highest percentage growth emerged from Asia (73%), indicating rapidly expanding acceptance.
Europe remains the epicenter for crypto payments, with the highest numeric increase in locations (2,029 new locations), emphasizing the region’s openness to crypto-friendly business environments. Yet, the highest percentage growth emerged from Asia (73%), indicating rapidly expanding acceptance.
Merchants Embrace Crypto for Higher Profits
Businesses embracing crypto payments are reaping significant benefits. A compelling 88.2% of business owners reported increased revenue after introducing crypto payment options. Interestingly, 75.7% of merchants are choosing to retain their crypto earnings as investments, reflecting confidence in crypto’s long-term value.
Top 3 reasons businesses accept crypto include:
- Faster & Borderless Payments (40.7%) – Businesses recognize crypto’s efficiency in processing international transactions swiftly without traditional financial barriers.
- Customer Demand (29.8%) – Increasingly crypto-savvy consumers are directly influencing business practices.
- Asset Accumulation (21.0%) – Merchants aim to accumulate crypto assets.
Regional Leaders in Crypto Payment Adoption
Brazil stands out globally, leading with 1,292 crypto payment locations, underscoring a vibrant Latin American crypto market. The USA and El Salvador closely follow, emphasizing the Americas’ dominant position.
The crypto-payment landscape shows distinct regional leaders.
- Europe: Italy leads with 909 crypto payment locations, followed by Czechia (881), Switzerland (560), Germany (546), and the Netherlands (345), reflecting Europe’s strong integration of crypto payments.
- Americas: Brazil stands out globally, leading with 1,292 crypto payment locations, highlighting Latin America’s growing crypto enthusiasm. The USA (1,088 locations) and El Salvador (1,024 locations) underscore the region’s prominent crypto adoption.
- Asia: Georgia tops with 269 locations, followed by Thailand (171), the Philippines (77), South Korea (55), and Japan (54), showcasing significant growth in Asia’s crypto ecosystem.
- Africa: South Africa dominates with 584 locations, signaling Africa’s rising crypto adoption.
- Oceania: Australia leads with 139 locations, highlighting Oceania’s cautious yet steady integration of crypto payment methods.
Countries Accelerating the Crypto Payment Revolution
El Salvador experienced the most dramatic global growth, tripling its crypto-friendly locations from 338 in 2023 to 1,024 in 2024—a vivid indication of crypto’s transformative potential in emerging economies. Brazil and Czechia also marked significant increases.
Top 5 Countries with the Highest Increase in Crypto Payment Locations, by Continent:
- Europe: Czechia led Europe’s growth with 253 new locations, followed by France, which notably added 209 new locations after having none the previous year.
- Americas: El Salvador saw the highest jump, increasing by 686 locations. Brazil closely followed with an increase of 521 locations.
- Africa: South Africa recorded the highest continental increase, adding 115 new crypto payment locations.
- Asia: Georgia topped Asian countries, adding 146 new locations, with Thailand also notable, adding 109.
- Oceania: Australia had the highest increase, adding 11 new crypto-friendly locations.
Conclusion
The rapid expansion of crypto payment acceptance across continents and individual countries highlights crypto’s undeniable momentum in reshaping global commerce. Merchants recognize not only immediate transactional benefits but also strategic advantages in asset accumulation. As adoption rates soar, especially in emerging economies, crypto payments stand poised to redefine the future of global financial interaction, emphasizing efficiency, inclusivity, and financial innovation.
