How to accept crypto payments in a brick-and-mortar store?
Cryptocurrency payments are catching on fast, and many businesses want in. **Imagine** cutting down fees, boosting security, and reaching more customers—all by using digital coins. **Sounds exciting, right?** But starting to use crypto in a real-world store can feel tricky. **Don’t worry; with a bit of planning**, it’s totally doable. This guide will show how to set up crypto payments in your shop. **First**, get to know how these payments work. **Then**, pick the right payment processor. **Next**, find ways to get your customers to try it out. And, super important, make sure you follow the rules. By the end, store owners will have the know-how and tools to start **taking crypto** and reaping all the awesome **benefits**.
How do crypto payments work?
Cryptocurrency payments are an alternative to traditional payment methods, such as cash, credit cards, and bank transfers. Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, operate on a decentralized network, which means that there is no central authority or financial institution involved in transactions. Instead, they are verified and recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain, which is maintained by a network of computers.
When a customer pays with cryptocurrency, the payment is made by transferring digital tokens from their cryptocurrency wallet to the merchant’s wallet. Each transaction is verified by the network of computers, ensuring that the payment is secure and transparent.
Compared to traditional payment methods, crypto payment offers several advantages, including lower transaction fees, faster settlement times, and increased security. However, it is important to note that cryptocurrency prices can be volatile, and merchants may need to convert cryptocurrency payments to fiat currency to avoid currency fluctuations.
To accept cryptocurrency payments, merchants will need to choose a cryptocurrency payment processor, set up a cryptocurrency wallet, and integrate the payment method into their point-of-sale system (POS). The next sections of this article will provide a detailed guide on how to do it.
Why should you accept cryptocurrency payments at your retail store?
The first and obvious reason is that now you would have one more payment option for the customer to choose from. You come across “now accepting bitcoin” signs on shop windows way more often than before as in such a way they advertise that they are keeping up with the trends. This is becoming the preferred currency payment option for young and solvent people as it is quick, has low transaction fees, and does not involve a third party.
Lower transaction fees
Your business will benefit from low transaction fees as there isn’t a third party taking a share. Crypto POS terminals would charge around a 1% transaction fee, compared to 2.5-3% by card payments.
Marketing
The biggest brands in the world are now accepting crypto payments. Burger King, Chipotle, Starbucks, Takeaway, Tesla, Shopify, and others,s just to name a few. The fact that you are accepting cryptocurrency payments puts you next to these popular brands and can be used for a nice marketing campaign.
Reach new client base
You are able to reach a new demographic group that has an average annual income of $25.000, and roughly 72% of them are under the age of 34. When you acknowledge how many people this is today, you also have to consider that this is a long-term gain.
Increasing the payment options
Having one more payment option is always better as it would increase your revenue and most importantly, you will be able to stay ahead of the competition.
Security
They are created to have a higher level of security as they don’t need a third-party validation. The users’ details won’t be stored at a centralized location which would further protect them from a possible data breach.
Client anonymity
You will be able to remain anonymous in a world, where more and more people value their privacy. This is rightly appealing in some industries like gambling for example.
No more fraudulent chargebacks
Merchants suffer from billions of losses in refunds. Crypto transactions are irreversible therefore adding another level of protection to your revenues.
Different ways to accept crypto in your brick-and-mortar store
There are two different ways to accept cryptocurrency payments in your physical store.
Accept crypto payments with a PoS terminal
Integrating into the store will make crypto payments more accessible and convenient for your customers. We don’t recommend using it not only because it’s popular but also simply better.
What is a cryptocurrency PoS terminal?
The Crypto Point-of-Sale system gives merchants a chance to accept cryptocurrency payments from customers. This PoS system lets your clients purchase items and services with Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies by using their mobile devices and crypto wallet. The biggest plus of the PoS approach is its ease of use since it only takes a few seconds to generate an invoice that customers can pay with. Additionally, the PoS gateway is straightforward and doesn’t require a complicated setup.
A PoS terminal takes care of and logs transactions. Point-of-Sale systems give retailers the capability to figure out how much a customer needs to pay and provide them with a receipt. In other words, it’s when the buyer pays in an actual store.
How to accept crypto payments by PoS terminal for a physical store – step by step
You might think it’s a difficult and tedious process to onboard, but it’s really straightforward if you follow these steps.
Choose Point of Sale terminal
There are plenty of crypto point-of-sale options available to integrate into your business, such as BitPay, Nowpayments, Coingate, and more. The setup process for each is pretty similar, so just pick the one that works best for you.
Read more about What is cryptocurrency Point of Sale.
Set up a digital wallet and link it to the PoS app
This is a procedure that requires confirmation to guarantee that the wallet belongs to you. Your cryptocurrency wallet is where your customer’s digital currency payments will be sent.
Create a payment order
When the customer is ready to pay for your products or services, you can enter the precise amount into the point-of-sale application.
Generally, Point of Sale applications provide two methods for completing transactions:
1) Send the Payment Manually: Once you place the order, a deposit address will be generated. The customer can then finish up the payment by entering their deposit wallet address into their crypto wallet and submitting the transaction.
2) Pay by a QR Code: Most Point-of-Sale applications can generate a distinct QR code, which the customer can scan with their wallet app. After scanning it, the transaction is finished.
Please bear in mind that the exact steps my differ depending on the PoS app you use.
Receive your payment
The final stage is when your coin lands in your wallet. Nothing else needs to be done. Cryptocurrency transactions are quick but require block confirmations, so you can see it arrive in your wallet shortly after that. You can choose to have your coins sent directly to either your wallet or your bank account in the form of cash, depending on what you’ve set up.
Some PoS apps like Bitpay can automatically convert the crypto that is transferred to you into a fiat currency of your choice directly to your bank, while others (like Nowpayments) will transfer cryptocurrency to your wallet address.
Accept cryptocurrency payments in your retail store directly to your wallet
This is the classic way to get crypto payments. Here’s a short guide for taking any type of cryptocurrency in your shop. It may change slightly depending on the currency, but this is basically how it works.
Setup a wallet – You have two choices when it comes to getting a crypto-currency receiving address: sign up for a custodial wallet like CoinBase or manage one yourself, where you control the private keys. If you’re dealing with a large amount of cryptocurrency, it’s recommended that you get a hardware wallet. It’s impossible to breach them if you adhere to their instructions.
Print a QR code with your wallet address – This is the simplest method to give your customers your wallet address. All they have to do is to scan the code with their wallet or exchange app and then transfer the needed amount of crypto.
What to consider if you choose this method of accepting crypto payments
There are some noteworthy decisions you would have to make before choosing this method.
Which cryptocurrency should you accept in your brick-and-mortar store?
Once you’ve made up your mind to incorporate cryptocurrencies in your business, the next question is, which one should you go for? Bitcoin is a safe bet since it is the most popular cryptocurrency, with the biggest market share and most adoption.
Despite its popularity, Bitcoin has some issues that other cryptocurrencies don’t have to deal with, like higher transaction fees and extended wait times for confirmations. Ethereum and Ripple are two good examples of alternatives that don’t face such problems.
You have to consider factors such as the liquidity of the coin, security, transaction speed and fees, and more. We recommend you get familiar with the market and consult a financial advisor or other experts if needed.
How and when to cash out?
As a business owner, you should be familiar with the process of exchanging your crypto-currencies for your local currency. You can register on exchanges such as CoinBase or Kraken and sell your coins to receive deposits in your bank balance. You can also consider selling your Bitcoins directly on a peer-to-peer marketplace like LocalBitcoins, which is available in almost all countries.
You can also buy gift cards, a topic we discussed in detail in another article, or directly shop with crypto.
What to consider before accepting cryptocurrencies at your retail store at all?
While accepting cryptocurrency payments in a brick-and-mortar store can offer several benefits, it is important for you to carefully consider a few factors before implementing this payment method.
Knowledge
First and foremost, you must have a clear understanding of how crypto transactions work, as well as the potential risks and benefits associated with accepting cryptocurrency payments. This includes knowledge of topics such as cryptocurrency price volatility, security measures, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Fees, including the installation fee of the PoS terminal
You should also be aware of any fees associated with accepting cryptocurrency payments, such as transaction fees or conversion fees, even though they are much lower compared to the standard payment methods.
A standard PoS terminal hardware (if you choose this option) typically costs roughly $200-$300 more
Payment gateway provider или PoS provider
In addition, you should carefully research and select a trustworthy cryptocurrency PoS app (if you decide to go with this option) and ensure that they have proper security measures in place to protect against potential fraud or theft.
Regulations
Make sure that you comply with all legal or regulatory requirements related to accepting cryptocurrency payments in your jurisdiction, and consult with legal and financial advisors if needed.
Taxes and accounting
Even though cryptocurrencies were designed to be decentralized and free from government oversight, in some countries, you still have to pay taxes on crypto. For example, in the USA, short-term crypto gains on purchases held for less than a year are subject to the same tax rates you pay on all other income: 10% to 37% for the 2022-2023 tax filing season, depending on your federal income tax bracket. If you hold onto your coins for at least a year, the range is from 0% to 20%, depending on your income level.
By carefully considering these factors before implementing cryptocurrency payments in your brick-and-mortar store, you can ensure a smooth and secure transition to this payment method and reap the benefits of increased security, lower transaction fees, and a wider customer base.
Conclusion
From setting up your digital wallet to receiving the payment, you have to know how crypto payments work, follow compliance rules and keep an eye on the regulations, as they are constantly evolving. A wide variety of cryptocurrency PoS terminals and crypto wallets are now available for your business but take into careful consideration your needs and goals.
If your brick-and-mortar store starts to accept cryptocurrencies, it will benefit from lower transaction fees, a quick and secure payment process, and will be able to diversify your client pool. In a market that is constantly trying new payment methods, crypto payments are here to stay.
Zornitsa is the Editor-in-chief at Coinlabz. She is involved in researching the impact of blockchain technology and the way crypto is transforming peoples’ perceptions of finances.
