How Important Are Crypto Payments Likely To Be for Retailers in 2027 and Beyond?

With agentic AI and continuing inflation (and shrinkflation) dominating retail-related headlines in 2026, the question so often previously asked once again deserves mention: Just how important are crypto payment options to U.S. retailers and shoppers alike?

A quick look through previously posted data shows divergent points – Federal Reserve data indicates just 2% of U.S. adults actually used crypto to purchase something in 2025, and an Axis Intelligence research paper suggested that crypto ownership had fallen to 9% in June of 2026 versus 14% in June of the year previous. On the retailer side, a PayPal and National Cryptocurrency Association indicated 39% of merchants already accept crypto at checkout, yet a J.D. Power 2026 merchant survey pegged small business uptake at just 19%. It should also be noted that larger retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, The Home Depot, and Etsy do not accept crypto directly.

The above findings can be compared to a Nov. 11 press release issued by NMI Research (notably, a payments infrastructure company) wherein a survey of 3,001 U.S. adults suggested interest in crypto payments for retail purchases persists.

“34% of U.S. consumers surveyed say they are likely to use cryptocurrency for holiday shopping this season if it is offered at checkout. Looking beyond the holidays, 33% say they are likely to use crypto at a retailer they already know and shop with within the next 12 months,” the press release stated.

“Interest in spending crypto comes with conditions, however. More than half (52%) say they would be more willing to pay with crypto if there were clear protections when something goes wrong, while 62% want to know the exact U.S. dollar cost, including fees, before they pay,” it continued.

Other findings presented by the NMI survey report:

• Only a slight edge is offered to crypto-friendly retailers: Roughly 30% of those polled said they would be more likely to choose a retailer offering crypto payments over a competitor if prices were equal, while 26% said they would be less likely to choose the crypto-friendly option. Meanwhile, more than one-third (35%) of respondents said it made no difference.

• No surprises here, as younger generations report more interest: Nearly half (48%) of Gen Zers and millennials stated they would be likely to pay via crypto with a retailer they were already acquainted with in the next year, should that option be on the table. Nearly the same cohort (49%) of Gen Z and millennial consumers said they were more likely to shop with a retailer that accepts crypto, versus 25% of Gen Xers and just 9% of baby boomers.

• Transparency and security matter, event to current crypto-holding customers: Alongside the reassurances on pricing and protections, those polled who currently hold crypto were also very interested in the same. “Among the 602 respondents who currently own cryptocurrency, 76% want to know the exact dollar cost, including fees; 72% say simpler refunds would make them more comfortable; and 74% would feel more comfortable if a familiar, trusted company handled the transaction,” the press release detailed.

“Consumers are telling us crypto has a place at the holiday checkout, but their interest is conditional. They aren’t asking retailers to reinvent how they pay. They want crypto to offer the things they already expect from payments: clear pricing, simple refunds and confidence that if something goes wrong, it can be made right. Trust will be what turns interest into actual transactions,” said NMI’s chief product officer, Tiffany Johnson.

Questions for further discussion:

• How important do you believe crypto payment acceptance will be for retailers in 2027 and the years following? Is the importance of crypto as a consumer payment method in retail currently overstated, about accurate, or understated, to your mind?

• With the data suggesting such widely different figures – NMI suggesting 34% of consumers would likely be using crypto to fund a holiday purchase this year, versus slightly older Fed data indicating that just 2% of shoppers used crypto to buy something in 2025 – where do you think the actual level of consumer interest on this front lies? Do you foresee any changes coming in 2027?