How to Accept Bitcoin Payments
Lower fees, no chargebacks, and instant global payments. Set up Bitcoin payments for your business in minutes.
Typical processing fees. Credit cards charge 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Lightning Network payments settle instantly. On-chain transactions confirm in minutes.
Chargeback fraud cost. Bitcoin transactions are irreversible once confirmed.
Why Accept Bitcoin
Bitcoin payments offer real advantages over traditional payment processing.
Lower Fees
Bitcoin payment processors typically charge 0–1% per transaction. Self-hosted solutions like BTCPay Server have zero processing fees. Compare that to the 2.9% + 30¢ that credit card processors charge.
No Chargebacks
Bitcoin transactions are irreversible once confirmed, eliminating chargeback fraud. Merchants can still issue voluntary refunds, but the decision is theirs, not the payment network's.
Fast Settlement
Lightning Network payments settle in seconds. On-chain transactions confirm in minutes. Most processors offer next-day fiat settlement, compared to 2–3 days for credit cards.
Global Reach
Accept payments from any country without international payment processors, currency conversion fees, or cross-border restrictions. Bitcoin works the same everywhere.
No PCI Compliance
Merchants don't collect or store sensitive payment card data, eliminating PCI compliance costs and the risk of customer data breaches.
Growing Customer Base
Over 700 million people worldwide hold cryptocurrency. Accepting Bitcoin puts your business in front of a tech-savvy, global customer base that actively seeks out merchants who accept it.
How It Works
You don't need to understand blockchain technology to accept Bitcoin. Payment processors handle everything, just like Stripe or PayPal does for credit cards.
- Choose a payment processor Pick a Bitcoin payment processor based on your needs. Consider fees, whether you want to receive fiat or Bitcoin, and your e-commerce platform. Self-hosted options like BTCPay Server are free; hosted solutions like Strike and OpenNode take minutes to set up.
- Create your account Sign up with your chosen processor and complete any required verification. Some processors like BTCPay Server and Apirone require no KYC at all. Hosted processors typically need basic business information.
- Integrate with your store Install a plugin for your e-commerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.) or add a payment button or QR code to your checkout. For in-person sales, use a POS app on your phone or tablet. Most integrations take under an hour.
- Accept your first payment Your customer selects "Pay with Bitcoin" at checkout. The processor generates a QR code or payment address. The customer scans it with their Bitcoin wallet and confirms. Lightning payments arrive in seconds; on-chain payments confirm in minutes.
- Receive your funds Depending on your settings, you receive the payment as fiat currency in your bank account (typically next business day) or as Bitcoin in your wallet. Most processors handle the conversion automatically.
Choosing a Payment Processor
The right solution depends on your technical comfort level, how much control you want, and whether you prefer to receive fiat or Bitcoin.
Self-Hosted
BTCPay Server is the gold standard. Zero fees, full control, no third party. Requires some technical setup (you run your own server), but offers maximum sovereignty and privacy. Best for merchants with technical resources or who want to avoid all intermediaries.
Hosted Processors
Services like BitPay, CoinGate, and NOWPayments handle everything for you. Easy setup, automatic fiat conversion, e-commerce plugins, and customer support. Small per-transaction fee. Best for merchants who want a hands-off experience.
Lightning-First
Strike and OpenNode specialize in Lightning Network payments, which settle in seconds with very low fees. Strike charges zero processing fees. Best for retail, point-of-sale, and businesses where speed matters.
Non-Custodial
Blockonomics and Apirone send payments directly to your own wallet with no intermediary holding your funds. No KYC required. Good middle ground between fully self-hosted and fully hosted.
Bitcoin Payment Processors
Compare the leading Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payment processors by fees, features, and custody model.
BTCPay Server
Free (self-hosted)BTCPay Server is a free, open-source, self-hosted cryptocurrency payment processor. It charges zero fees — merchants only pay the network transaction fee. BTCPay Server supports Bitcoin (on-chain and Lightning Network), as well as altcoins like Litecoin and Monero. It integrates with 30+ e-commerce platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and BigCommerce. Because it is self-hosted, merchants retain full control of their funds with no intermediary.
Learn more
Strike
FreeStrike is a Bitcoin and Lightning Network payment processor offering zero-fee merchant processing. Merchants receive instant fiat settlement from Bitcoin and Lightning payments with no transaction fees. Strike integrates with Shopify and provides a payment API for custom integrations. Available in 85+ countries.
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OpenNode
1%OpenNode is a Bitcoin and Lightning Network payment processor designed for instant, low-cost payments. It supports on-chain Bitcoin and Lightning transactions with fiat settlement in 85+ countries. OpenNode provides checkout pages, invoicing, e-commerce plugins, and a developer API. Backed by investors including Fidelity Investments and Tim Draper.
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BitPay
2% + 25¢BitPay is the largest cryptocurrency payment processor, handling over $1 billion in annual crypto payment volume. It supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and several other cryptocurrencies plus stablecoins. BitPay provides invoicing, billing, and e-commerce plugins for major platforms. Merchants receive settlement in fiat currency (USD, EUR, etc.) or can choose to keep a percentage in crypto.
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CoinGate
1%CoinGate is a cryptocurrency payment processor supporting 70+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and major stablecoins. It offers fiat settlement in EUR, USD, and GBP, with e-commerce plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, and others. CoinGate is licensed under EU MiCA regulations and has processed over 7 million crypto payments.
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NOWPayments
0.5%NOWPayments is a cryptocurrency payment gateway supporting 300+ coins and tokens. It offers custodial and non-custodial options, auto-conversion to fiat or stablecoins, and integrations for e-commerce platforms, invoicing, and donation pages. NOWPayments provides plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, and others, as well as a developer API.
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Blockonomics
1%Blockonomics is a non-custodial Bitcoin payment processor — payments go directly to the merchant's own wallet with no intermediary holding funds. It supports Bitcoin and USDT, with plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, and other platforms, plus invoicing and a payment API. Blockonomics is used by 14,000+ merchants in 130 countries.
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Apirone
Fixed network feeApirone is a non-custodial cryptocurrency processing provider requiring no KYC or registration. It supports Bitcoin (SegWit), Ethereum, BNB, USDT, and USDC. Payments are forwarded directly to the merchant's wallet. Apirone provides a RESTful API, e-commerce plugins, and supports callbacks to Tor for privacy-focused merchants.
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Coinbase Commerce
1%Coinbase Commerce is a cryptocurrency payment platform for merchants. It supports payments in USDC, Ethereum, and other EVM-compatible tokens through an onchain payment protocol. Note that native Bitcoin payments were removed in February 2024 — Bitcoin payments are only available if the customer pays through a Coinbase account. Coinbase Commerce integrates with Shopify and provides a checkout API.
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Stripe
1.5%Stripe reintroduced cryptocurrency payments in 2024 after discontinuing its original Bitcoin support in 2018. The current integration focuses on USDC stablecoin payments on Solana, Ethereum, and Polygon, which are auto-converted to fiat and settled to the merchant's Stripe balance. Crypto payments are available to Stripe merchants in 150+ countries. Note that native Bitcoin payments are not currently supported.
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Shopify
Varies by providerShopify supports cryptocurrency payments through multiple third-party integrations available in its payments settings. Merchants can choose from providers including BitPay, BTCPay Server, OpenNode, Strike, CoinGate, NOWPayments, and Coinbase Commerce. Shopify also offers native USDC payments through Shopify Payments. Fees vary by provider.
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Bitaps
Fixed network feeBitaps provides a Bitcoin processing RESTful API without registration or restrictions. It offers basic payment processing, mass payments, smart contracts for hot wallet and cold storage balance management, and a standard Bitcoin ledger API.
Learn moreProcessor Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of fees, features, and custody models.
| Processor | Fees | Lightning | Custody | Fiat Settlement | KYC Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTCPay Server | Free (self-hosted) | Yes | Self-hosted | No | No |
| Strike | Free | Yes | Custodial | Yes | Yes |
| OpenNode | 1% | Yes | Custodial | Yes | Yes |
| BitPay | 2% + 25¢ | No | Custodial | Yes | Yes |
| CoinGate | 1% | Yes | Custodial | Yes | Yes |
| NOWPayments | 0.5% | No | Custodial | Yes | Yes |
| Blockonomics | 1% | No | Non-custodial | No | No |
| Apirone | Fixed network fee | No | Non-custodial | No | No |
| Coinbase Commerce | 1% | No | Custodial | Yes | Yes |
| Stripe | 1.5% | No | Custodial | Yes | Yes |
| Shopify | Varies by provider | Yes | Custodial | Yes | Yes |
| Bitaps | Fixed network fee | No | Non-custodial | No | No |
E-Commerce Integrations
Most major e-commerce platforms support cryptocurrency payments through plugins or built-in integrations.
Shopify
Supports crypto payments through BitPay, BTCPay Server, OpenNode, Strike, CoinGate, NOWPayments, and others. Also offers native USDC payments through Shopify Payments.
WooCommerce
Plugins available for BTCPay Server, Blockonomics, CoinGate, NOWPayments, and others. WooCommerce's open-source nature means it has the widest range of crypto payment integrations.
Other Platforms
BigCommerce, Wix, Magento, and PrestaShop are all supported by multiple processors including BTCPay Server, CoinGate, and NOWPayments.
Point-of-Sale Payments
The Lightning Network has made Bitcoin practical for in-person retail. Payments confirm in seconds with fees under a cent.
BTCPay Server POS
A built-in point-of-sale app that runs in a browser on any phone or tablet. Supports Lightning and on-chain payments with zero processing fees.
Strike
Zero-fee Lightning payments with a simple merchant app. Instant fiat settlement to your bank account.
OpenNode
Checkout interface and QR code generation for in-person Lightning payments, with fiat settlement in 85+ countries.
CoinCorner
A Lightning-focused payment terminal and checkout solution designed for UK and European retail merchants.
Managing Price Volatility
The most common concern merchants have about Bitcoin is price volatility. The good news: you don't have to hold Bitcoin at all.
Instant Fiat Conversion
Most hosted payment processors (Strike, BitPay, OpenNode, CoinGate, NOWPayments) offer automatic conversion to your local currency. Your customer pays in Bitcoin; you receive dollars, euros, or pounds in your bank account. The processor handles the conversion at the current exchange rate, so you have zero exposure to price fluctuations.
Stablecoin Settlement
Some processors offer settlement in stablecoins like USDC or USDT, which are pegged to the US dollar. This gives you the benefits of cryptocurrency (fast, global, low fees) without Bitcoin's price volatility.
Hold Some, Convert Some
Several processors let you choose what percentage of each payment to convert to fiat and what percentage to keep as Bitcoin. This lets you start conservatively (100% fiat) and adjust as you get comfortable.
Tax and Record Keeping
Cryptocurrency payments are taxable income in most jurisdictions. Here are the basics for US-based businesses. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
Income Recognition
Bitcoin received as payment for goods or services is treated as ordinary income, valued at the fair market value in USD at the time of receipt. If you use a processor that converts to fiat instantly, this is straightforward; the dollar amount you receive is your taxable income.
If You Hold Bitcoin
If you keep payments in Bitcoin and later sell or spend the BTC at a different price, you may have a capital gain or loss on the difference. This adds record-keeping complexity, which is one reason many merchants prefer instant fiat conversion.
Record Keeping
Keep records of all cryptocurrency transactions, including the date, amount in BTC, USD value at time of receipt, and the customer or invoice number. Most payment processors provide detailed transaction history and reporting tools that make this straightforward.
This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Tax treatment varies by jurisdiction and business structure. Consult a qualified tax professional.
Who Else Accepts Bitcoin
Thousands of businesses worldwide accept Bitcoin, from online retailers to travel agencies to luxury goods dealers. Here are a few well-known examples:
- Bitrefill — Bitrefill is the most popular way to spend Bitcoin on everyday goods and services. Buy gift cards for Amazon, Uber,...
- The Bitcoin Company — The Bitcoin Company lets you buy gift cards, pay bills, and top up prepaid cards using Bitcoin and Lightning Network....
- Overstock — Overstock was the first major retailer to accept Bitcoin in 2014. The site sells furniture, home goods, clothing, jewelry, and...
- Fold — Fold offers a Bitcoin rewards debit card that earns Bitcoin back on every purchase. The Fold Card works anywhere Visa...
- Travala — Travala is a crypto-native online travel agency offering 2.2 million hotels and 600+ airlines worldwide. Pay with Bitcoin, Lightning, and...
- CheapAir — CheapAir has accepted Bitcoin since 2013, making it one of the longest-running Bitcoin-accepting travel agencies. Book flights, hotels, and car...
By accepting Bitcoin, you're joining a growing global network of merchants offering customers more ways to pay.
Let People Know
Once your business starts accepting Bitcoin, get the word out. Online stores should add a "Bitcoin Accepted Here" badge to their footer. Physical stores can display a sticker in their window.
Common Questions
How do I convert Bitcoin payments to dollars?
Most Bitcoin payment processors handle this automatically. When you sign up with a processor like Strike, BitPay, OpenNode, or CoinGate, you set your preferred payout currency. When a customer pays in Bitcoin, the processor converts it to your chosen currency at the current exchange rate and deposits it in your bank account, typically the next business day. You never need to touch Bitcoin directly.
What are the fees compared to credit cards?
Bitcoin payment processing fees range from 0% to 2%, depending on the provider. BTCPay Server and Strike charge zero processing fees. Most other processors charge 0.5–1%. Compare this to credit card processing at 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, plus potential chargeback fees of $15–$100 each. For businesses with significant transaction volume or chargeback rates, the savings can be substantial.
Is it legal to accept Bitcoin as a business?
Yes. Bitcoin is legal to accept as payment in the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and most other countries. Some jurisdictions may require you to register as a money services business if you hold or convert cryptocurrency on behalf of customers, but simply accepting Bitcoin as payment for your own goods and services is legal in the vast majority of countries. Check your local regulations if you are unsure.
How do refunds work with Bitcoin?
Bitcoin transactions cannot be reversed by the payment network, but merchants can issue voluntary refunds. Most payment processors include refund functionality in their dashboard. When you initiate a refund, the processor sends the equivalent amount back to the customer. Some processors refund in the original cryptocurrency; others send the fiat equivalent. The key difference from credit cards is that you decide whether to refund, not the payment network.
Do I need special equipment or technical knowledge?
No. Hosted payment processors like Strike, BitPay, and CoinGate work like any other payment gateway; you install a plugin for your e-commerce platform or use their checkout page. For in-person sales, you just need a phone or tablet to display a QR code. Customers scan the QR code with their Bitcoin wallet, and you're done. Self-hosted solutions like BTCPay Server require more technical setup, but the hosted options are as simple as setting up a Stripe or PayPal account.
How are Bitcoin payments taxed?
In the US, Bitcoin received as payment for goods or services is treated as ordinary business income. You owe income tax on the fair market value of the Bitcoin at the time you received it. If you use a payment processor that converts to dollars instantly, the amount deposited in your bank account is your taxable income, which makes record-keeping straightforward. If you hold Bitcoin and later sell at a different price, capital gains tax may apply to the difference. Read more about tax and record keeping above.
How do I handle Bitcoin price volatility?
The simplest approach: use a payment processor that converts Bitcoin to your local currency instantly. You receive dollars (or euros, pounds, etc.) in your bank account, not Bitcoin. Your customer pays in Bitcoin, but you have zero exposure to price fluctuations. Processors like Strike, BitPay, OpenNode, and CoinGate all offer this. Read more about managing volatility above.
Can I accept Bitcoin on Shopify or WooCommerce?
Yes. Shopify supports Bitcoin payments through several providers including BTCPay Server, Strike, BitPay, OpenNode, CoinGate, and NOWPayments. WooCommerce has plugins for BTCPay Server, Blockonomics, CoinGate, NOWPayments, and others. Both platforms make it easy to add Bitcoin as a payment option alongside credit cards and other methods.
What is the Lightning Network?
The Lightning Network is a payment layer built on top of Bitcoin that enables instant, low-cost transactions. While regular Bitcoin transactions confirm in roughly 10 minutes, Lightning payments settle in seconds with fees under a cent. This makes Lightning ideal for retail and point-of-sale payments. Many payment processors now support Lightning, including BTCPay Server, Strike, OpenNode, and CoinGate.
Is accepting Bitcoin safe for my business?
Yes, when using established payment processors. The main risks with credit card payments (chargebacks, data breaches, fraud) are actually reduced with Bitcoin. There are no chargebacks, you don't store sensitive card data, and confirmed transactions can't be reversed. The primary risk is price volatility, which is eliminated if you use instant fiat conversion. Choose a reputable payment processor, enable two-factor authentication, and follow basic security practices.
Ready to Accept Bitcoin?
Learn the basics of Bitcoin and how to set up your first wallet to get started.
The payment processors listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only and are not endorsements. Always do your own research before choosing a payment processor for your business.