Cryptocurrencies remain an outsider in eurozone online trade: data from a large-scale study
The European Central Bank (ECB) has presented the results of a large-scale analysis of payment preferences in the eurozone, and the figures are quite telling for the crypto industry. Only 0.2% of internet companies operating in the region are willing to accept cryptocurrencies or stablecoins as payment for their goods and services. This is sobering statistics against the backdrop of years of talk about a revolution in the payments sector.
Methodology and key figures
The study, conducted with the support of Ipsos European Public Affairs between February 23 and April 10, 2026, covered 8,205 enterprises from all 21 eurozone countries. The sample included retail trade, catering, hospitality, and entertainment. Notably, the questionnaire featured only three digital assets — bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT, highlighting their status as the most representative market players.
Against this backdrop, traditional payment instruments demonstrate dominance: cards are available at 82% of online sellers, and bank transfers at 74%. Among offline operators, 92% of companies accept cash (up from 90% in 2024), and 88% accept cards (versus 87% a year earlier). However, mobile payments showed the most impressive growth: their share jumped from 36% to 68% in just two years, mainly driven by instant transfers and digital wallets.
Selection criteria and the cash paradox
When choosing a payment instrument, businesses are guided by three main factors: customer preferences (26%), security (22%), and ease of processing (15%). Notably, when comparing cash and digital methods, no single parameter was found where electronic methods were unequivocally better. Moreover, in terms of privacy and reliability, entrepreneurs rated physical money higher.
A quarter of surveyed companies actively promoted cashless payments during the year: purchasing new equipment or reducing cash acceptance points. Additionally, 13% of enterprises installed self-service terminals, with almost half of them operating exclusively in cashless mode. Nevertheless, 92% of companies accepting cash plan to maintain this practice for the next five years. Exceptions include Cyprus (51% of small and medium-sized enterprises ready to abandon cash), Greece (23%), and Bulgaria (18%).
The digital euro context
This study is published ahead of the possible launch of the digital euro, which the ECB has tentatively scheduled for 2029, subject to the necessary legislative framework. In June, the relevant European Parliament committee supported the corresponding bill, and in July, the regulator selected banks for CBDC testing, including Deutsche Bank, Revolut, Stripe, UniCredit, Adyen, SumUp, and Worldline.
My analysis: These data eloquently demonstrate the gap between crypto enthusiasts' expectations and the reality of mass adoption. Even with growing interest in digital payments, cryptocurrencies remain a niche instrument without a clear value proposition for ordinary businesses. The introduction of the digital euro will likely only intensify competition, and crypto assets will have to find their unique niche rather than attempt to replace traditional fiat payments.