A merchant’s guide to accepting crypto with confidence

Global adoption of crypto payments is expected to rise to 40% of businesses by 2030, as the technology matures. This is compounded by the widely anticipated launch of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), state-owned digital assets, which will serve to bring digital money into the regulated mainstream. Already, we’re seeing people waking up to crypto as a viable means of holding and transferring value; crypto wallet downloads in 2025 rose by 42% since the previous year, reaching 320 million active wallets around the world across mobile and desktop platforms.

‍Trade Fluidity is becoming increasingly important; a fluid, flexible state of payments where customers and merchants alike can move value freely across borders, through fiat and crypto, with confidence.

Why accepting crypto payments makes sense now and in the future

Crypto has reshaped the way people think about money. The business case for accepting it is becoming impossible to ignore — especially in sectors where global customer reach and flexible payments matter. 

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Integrating crypto acceptance can help merchants:

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• Expand into new markets
  Crypto-capable Payment Acceptance helps merchants reach more customers globally. By introducing crypto acceptance, businesses can facilitate international transactions without the need for currency conversion, expanding market reach.

 Relm’s Trade Fluidity approach also helps to smooth out the process for merchants. Businesses that set up and use Relm’s Account Services—either directly through the Relm Portal or through API-powered integrations—can automatically settle crypto payments in the fiat currency of their choice and manage up to 38 global currencies within the account.

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• Get better margins
  Crypto transactions often incur lower fees compared to traditional payment methods, enhancing your profit margins. At Relm, we aim to keep transaction fees as low as possible.

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• Keep your money safe, whatever currency it’s in

  Blockchain technology offers transparency and tamper-resistant records, reducing the risk of certain types of fraud. 
Crypto payments also offer chargeback protection for merchants. Unlike regular transactions, crypto transactions are irreversible. Recent estimates put the global impact of chargebacks at around $125 billion annually, reflecting both direct disputes and the hidden operational expenses associated with resolving them.

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• Get your money faster

  Unlike traditional banking systems, crypto transactions can be processed swiftly, improving cash flow. Partnering with a business (like Relm) that automatically processes crypto-to-fiat conversion and offers same-day settlement as standard can help to speed up every transaction while stripping complexity out of the process.

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• Appeal to new customers

  Introducing crypto acceptance alongside fiat can help to draw in a new pool of customers. A study found that 56% of consumers are more likely to transact with merchants that accept crypto payments. Millennials and Gen Z customers especially; Millennials make up 40% of crypto users, while Gen Z has seen a notable rise in uptake, now accounting for 20% of the user base.

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‍What you need to know before accepting crypto payments

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No innovation comes without challenges, and crypto payments are no exception. But knowing what questions to ask upfront can help merchants as they start their crypto acceptance journey.

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‍Solving the volatility challenge

‍One of the big question marks around crypto as a means of payment has always been its inherent volatility; in a day, some of the more popular cryptocurrencies can fluctuate by thousands of dollars, making them a high-risk transaction method.

The best way to counteract this is to pick a payment acceptance solution that offers instant conversion into stablecoin or fiat, so you can accept crypto while mitigating against volatility. In 2025, stablecoin transactions represented 76% of crypto payments—which speaks to its viability as a digital transaction currency.

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‍Managing regulatory requirements

‍As governments refine their stance on digital assets, businesses need to keep pace. By choosing partners who stay compliant across jurisdictions, you can protect your business while avoiding legal headaches down the line.

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‍Future-proofing your business

‍The only certainty in technology is change. By building flexibility into your payment systems now, you can get onboard with new technology early while making sure you won’t be locked into outdated processes.

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‍Maintaining the power of choice

‍Not every customer is ready for crypto, and that’s okay. By offering both fiat and crypto, businesses can give customers the flexibility to pay however they feel most comfortable.

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‍Liquidity and conversion challenges

‍Customers might pay in crypto, but businesses often need cash flow in traditional currencies. That’s why, when picking a crypto payment solution provider, it’s best to choose one that offers fast, transparent conversion options so your revenue doesn’t get stuck in limbo.

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‍Security

‍Crypto transactions are highly secure thanks to blockchain, but protecting wallets, private keys, and customer data still requires diligence. Choosing a solution provider that is built with robust protection and that links seamlessly with existing merchant systems and financial infrastructure gives your business added protections.

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Auditable money trails

‍Crypto transactions bring unique audit and tax implications, from reporting gains to handling cross-border sales. Businesses remain accountable for their own tax obligations, but having clear money trails, even as value shifts across different currencies and accounts, can help businesses stay on top of their reporting and compliance obligations.

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Are your customers ready for crypto?

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If you’re weighing the benefits of integrating crypto payment acceptance into your business, ask yourself:

• Do you currently (or do you want to) operate in global markets?
• Do you sell luxury or high-ticket products and services?
• Do high transaction fees cut into your margins?
• Are your customers asking about crypto?
• Do you want to attract a new tech-savvy, crypto-curious audience?

If you’ve answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, then it’s a good sign that crypto payments may be a worthwhile pursuit.

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‍Embrace Trade Fluidity and make crypto work for you

‍If you want to build crypto acceptance into your business, we have the tech you need. Our Payment Acceptance and Account Services solutions make it easy for you to get started with crypto payment acceptance both online and offline. And the best thing is that you don’t need to pick between crypto and fiat; our solution is built to support both.

Interested in accepting crypto? Get started by dropping us a message here, and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

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