The survey, which involved 8,205 companies across the European Union, found that only 0.2% accepted cryptocurrencies for online payments. Acceptance of digital assets rose to 1% at physical points of sale. 92% of companies with physical points of sale accept cash, making it the most widely accepted payment method in Europe.
Key Takeaways
An ECB survey found crypto acceptance at European businesses is under 1%, while cash dominates at 92%.Low crypto adoption means EU businesses miss out on reduced transaction fees and fewer middlemen.Despite MiCA regulations offering clarity, EU payment firms are slow to build crypto solutions.The latest survey of the European Central Bank (ECB) on the use of cash by companies in the euro area has offered an insight into the low level of crypto adoption in the region.
Cash surpassed even cards, which ranked second with 88% acceptance, while mobile payments rose from 36% in 2024 to 68% in 2026.
The rise of digital payments and their promotion in purchase automation systems such as self-checkout terminals were identified as issues that might reduce the ease of paying with cash.
“To ensure widespread cash acceptance, it is crucial to ensure that the increasing automation of payments does not inadvertently hinder or undermine cash as a viable payment option,” the bank stressed.
This shows that even as a majority of financial institutions recognize there is a business case for digital assets, cutting middlemen and reducing transaction fees, they have been slow to implement digital asset systems to leverage their advantages
