Spar, one of the world’s largest grocery chains, has officially begun accepting Bitcoin payments in Switzerland making it the first supermarket in the country to do so. The move was announced by DFX Swiss on April 17 via LinkedIn.
Spar Integrates Lightning Network for Fast, Low-Cost Bitcoin Payments in Switzerland
The payment system uses the Lightning Network, enabling fast and low-cost BTC transactions. Shoppers can now pay at checkout by simply scanning a QR code, offering a smooth and direct way to spend Bitcoin in-store.
The system is powered by OpenCryptoPay, a peer-to-peer crypto payment tool developed for in-person use. DFX Swiss explained:
“This SPAR location is among the first supermarkets in Switzerland where you can pay directly at the checkout using Bitcoin (via LNURL), thanks to our new #OpenCryptoPay solution.”
The supermarket has also been added to BTC Map, a global tracker of businesses accepting Bitcoin. The map currently lists 1,013 businesses in Switzerland that support Bitcoin payments.
Rahim Taghizadegan, director at Bitcoin Association Switzerland and a university lecturer, praised the experience after using the system. In his April 16 LinkedIn post, he said:
“Just scan a static QR code, send sats, immediate and easy registration by the cashier.”
He added that widespread use could lead to a nationwide rollout.
Taghizadegan made his payment using the Phoenix Wallet, but noted that any Lightning-compatible wallet would work.
Spar operates in 48 countries with over 13,900 stores, serving nearly 15 million customers daily. The adoption of Bitcoin in a Swiss branch highlights a growing trend of crypto integration in everyday retail, potentially paving the way for wider adoption across other locations.
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