Cryptocurrency payments may still feel niche to many consumers, but new data suggests they are moving steadily toward the mainstream, led largely by big businesses. A recent PayPal-backed survey found that nearly 85% of respondents expect crypto payments to become a common part of everyday transactions within the next five years.
The findings come from an online survey of about 620 payment strategy decision-makers conducted in late October 2025 on behalf of the National Cryptocurrency Association. While overall crypto payment usage remains limited today, merchants report growing interest and tangible results where crypto is already accepted.
According to the survey, close to nine in 10 merchants said customers have asked whether they can pay with cryptocurrency. Around 40% of respondents said they already accept crypto at checkout. Among those businesses, crypto payments account for more than a quarter of total sales on average, and roughly three-quarters reported growth in crypto-related sales over the past year.
PayPal sees this as a sign that crypto payments are moving past trial phases and into practical use.
“What we’re seeing both in this data and in conversations with our customers is that crypto payments are moving beyond experimentation and into everyday commerce,” said May Zabaneh, Vice President and General Manager of Crypto at PayPal.
She noted that customer demand for faster and more flexible payment options is a key driver, adding that businesses often recognize clear benefits once crypto is introduced.
The survey also highlights a gap between interest and execution. About 90% of merchants said they would be willing to test crypto payments if the experience were as straightforward as traditional card payments and if setup were equally simple. This suggests that usability and education remain critical barriers to wider adoption.
Large enterprises appear to be setting the pace. Roughly half of respondents from companies earning more than $500 million annually already accept cryptocurrency, compared with 34% of small businesses and 32% of midsize firms. Industry observers say larger companies often have more resources to experiment with new payment technologies and absorb early risks.
The growing momentum comes as the stablecoin sector undergoes significant changes. The recent signing of the GENIUS Act has introduced clearer rules for issuing and transacting with fiat-pegged digital tokens, a move that has brought more regulatory clarity to the space. PayPal was among the first major payment platforms to embrace stablecoins, a step now being mirrored by banks, fintech firms, and newer decentralized finance players.
National Cryptocurrency Association President Stu Alderoty said the survey underscores a familiar challenge.
“Interest in crypto isn’t the problem; understanding is,” he said.
He emphasized the role of partnerships with established platforms like PayPal in helping businesses and consumers see how crypto can fit into everyday commerce without added complexity.
Taken together, the findings suggest that while crypto payments are not yet universal, the groundwork for broader adoption is being laid. With large companies leading the way, clearer regulations emerging, and user-friendly tools improving, digital currencies may soon feel less like a novelty and more like a standard option at checkout.
