Catenaa, Monday, April 21, 2025-SPAR Supermarket has begun accepting bitcoin payments at its Zug branch, using the Lightning Network through DFX Swiss’s OpenCryptoPay system.
The move marks another step forward in Switzerland’s growing embrace of cryptocurrency and places SPAR among the first supermarkets in the nation to integrate direct bitcoin payments at checkout.
The rollout allows customers to pay using LNURL by scanning a static QR code, making for instant and seamless transactions. The solution was demonstrated by Bitcoin Association Switzerland director Rahim Taghizadegan, who praised its simplicity and speed at the point of sale.
The Zug outlet, located in the heart of Switzerland’s so-called “Crypto Valley,” underscores the region’s leadership in bitcoin adoption. The city has cultivated a reputation for technological openness, attracting numerous blockchain and fintech firms over the past decade.
The development could serve as a blueprint for wider adoption across SPAR’s global network of more than 13,900 stores in 48 countries, which collectively serve nearly 15 million customers daily.
Neighboring city Lugano, through its high-profile “Plan ₿” initiative, has already positioned bitcoin as an everyday payment option for taxes, public services, and at hundreds of merchants. The city’s collaboration with Tether includes launching a startup fund and educational center focused on crypto technologies.
SPAR joins a growing list of Swiss businesses integrating bitcoin payments, bolstered by a supportive financial system and government policies that encourage innovation in digital assets.
