ADA Arrives at SPAR Stores

A new way to pay for everyday shopping with cryptocurrency has appeared in Switzerland. In 137 SPAR supermarkets, customers can now purchase products using Cardano (ADA) directly from their crypto wallets.

The project was launched through a collaboration between the Cardano Foundation and the companies DFX.swiss and Brick Towers. The initiative aims to bring blockchain-based payments into everyday retail environments.

The system uses the Open Crypto Pay solution, which enables real-time transactions. This means that payments are completed instantly at the checkout, allowing customers to pay just as quickly as they would with traditional payment methods. The funds reach the merchant in a short time, and the process does not require additional intermediaries.

The new solution may also benefit retailers themselves. In traditional payment systems, card processing fees can be relatively high. With blockchain-based payments, these costs can be significantly reduced. According to the project’s creators, merchants may lower payment processing fees by nearly two-thirds.

The system automatically converts cryptocurrency into the local currency, meaning stores do not have to worry about crypto price volatility. Retailers receive funds in a stable form while still offering customers a modern payment option.

The introduction of ADA payments in Swiss supermarkets shows that cryptocurrencies are increasingly entering everyday commerce. If similar solutions continue to be implemented in more stores, paying with crypto at the checkout could eventually become as common as paying with a card