SPAR Supermarkets Accepted Cardano Cryptocurrency
Customers can now use ADA to pay for groceries at 137 SPAR locations across Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Couponing
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SPAR supermarkets have launched a new payment option allowing shoppers to pay for goods using the Cardano cryptocurrency, ADA. This integration was made possible through a partnership with DFX.swiss and its Open Crypto Pay system.
Why it matters
The collaboration aims to showcase the practical utility of ADA beyond speculative trading while providing merchants with a way to reduce transaction fees compared to traditional credit or debit cards. By processing payments in real time, the system allows businesses to receive funds in Swiss francs even when customers pay in cryptocurrency.
A total of 137 SPAR supermarkets in Switzerland and Liechtenstein have implemented the ADA payment method. This system bypasses centralized exchanges by calculating the ADA equivalent of prices denominated in Swiss francs upon scanning a QR code.
The players
SPAR
This international retail chain operates more than 250 supermarkets across Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Cardano Foundation
This non-profit organization oversees the development and adoption of the Cardano blockchain ecosystem.
DFX.swiss
This financial technology firm provides the Open Crypto Pay infrastructure used for processing merchant cryptocurrency payments.
The details
The integration utilizes the Open Crypto Pay standard, enabling customers to complete transactions by scanning a merchant-provided QR code through a cryptocurrency wallet app. While the program is expanding, locations in Geneva and Davos are not yet equipped to process these digital payments.
Timeline
As of December 2025, 350 businesses in Lugano accepted Bitcoin payments.
The Plan B municipal blockchain program phase two is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2030.
Culture Shift
The implementation of ADA payments at SPAR stores follows the pattern of institutional and merchant adoption fostered by the City of Lugano's Plan B municipal blockchain program. This shift reflects a growing trend of integrating digital assets into daily retail routines within the region.
Shoppers at participating SPAR locations can now use ADA as a payment method by scanning a QR code at checkout. Users should note that this option is currently unavailable at stores in Geneva and Davos, requiring customers to use traditional payment methods in those areas.
The takeaway
This integration shows that digital currencies are moving from theoretical assets into practical retail payment tools. Customers interested in using cryptocurrency for daily purchases should verify if their local branch supports the QR-based system before visiting.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest retail innovations in our Couponing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Racine County Eye.
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