DFX Swiss announced the news on April 17 through a LinkedIn update. It stated that the novel payment system utilizes the Lightning Network, which enables quick and low cost Bitcoin transactions.
This makes Spar the first supermarket in Switzerland to take direct Bitcoin at the checkout.. Customers can now pay by just scanning a QR code.
The new payment option is powered by OpenCryptoPay, an open peer-to-peer system for in-person crypto payments. DFX Swiss wrote, “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 payment system was listed on BTC Map, a community project that tracks stores and businesses accepting Bitcoin. According to BTC Map, there are currently 1,013 businesses in Switzerland that allow Bitcoin payments.
Rahim Taghizadegan, director at Bitcoin Association Switzerland and a university lecturer, also praised the system’s simplicity. In an April 16 LinkedIn post, he said, “Just scan a static QR code, send sats, immediate and easy registration by the cashier.” He added, “If enough people use it, it may be rolled out in the whole country.”
Taghizadegan used the Phoenix Wallet to complete his payment but noted that most Bitcoin wallets that support the Lightning Network would work just as well.
Spar is one of the largest grocery chains in the world, with more than 13,900 stores in 48 countries. The company serves over 14.7 million customers every day and employs around 450,000 people. Bringing Bitcoin payments into one of its Swiss stores shows how cryptocurrency is becoming more accepted in daily life.
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