The ECB reports that only 0.2% of Eurozone online businesses accept cryptocurrencies as payment, highlighting a significant gap in digital currency adoption.
A recent report from the European Central Bank (ECB) highlights that only 0.2% of online businesses in the Eurozone accept cryptocurrencies or stablecoins for transactions.
The study, conducted by Ipsos European Public Affairs from February 23 to April 10, 2026, surveyed 8,205 companies across 21 Eurozone nations, spanning various sectors including retail, hospitality, and entertainment.
In contrast to the minimal acceptance of digital currencies, traditional payment methods remain dominant, with 82% of online merchants offering payment cards and 74% accepting bank transfers. The survey particularly examined Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT.
Cash payments are still prevalent, accepted by 92% of businesses, an increase from 90% in 2024. Card payments also rose slightly to 88%. Notably, mobile payments experienced significant growth, jumping from 36% to 68% in just two years, driven by the popularity of instant transfers and digital wallet solutions.
When deciding on payment methods, businesses prioritized customer preferences (26%), security (22%), and ease of processing (15%). Interestingly, cash was rated higher than digital payments in terms of privacy and reliability.
About 25% of companies reported promoting cashless transactions in the past year, with many investing in modern cash registers and reducing cash acceptance points. Thirteen percent of businesses have implemented self-service terminals, with nearly half operating exclusively in cashless mode.
Despite this shift, 92% of firms accepting cash intend to continue doing so for at least the next five years. However, in Cyprus, 51% of small and medium-sized enterprises indicated a potential shift away from cash, while Greece and Bulgaria reported figures of 23% and 18%, respectively.
This study comes as Europe gears up for the introduction of the digital euro, with the ECB aiming for a 2029 launch, contingent on the establishment of a suitable legislative framework within the EU. In June, the European Parliament's committee approved a CBDC bill that includes provisions for both online and offline transactions, basic free services, and mandatory acceptance by most businesses.
In July, the ECB selected several banks, including Deutsche Bank, Revolut, and Stripe, to participate in the pilot phase for the digital euro.
