Cardano's (ADA) token is now accepted for in-store payments at 137 Spar supermarkets across Switzerland, following the Cardano Foundation's integration with DFX.swiss and its Open Crypto Pay standard.
The addition comes roughly six months after Spar Switzerland launched crypto payments at the chain in August 2025 via Binance Pay and DFX.swiss - meaning ADA is the latest addition to an infrastructure already supporting more than 100 cryptocurrencies.
That context matters. ADA's inclusion is an integration decision by DFX.swiss, not a bespoke Spar-Cardano agreement.
Customers pay by scanning a QR code at checkout; DFX.swiss converts the payment to Swiss francs, so stores receive fiat regardless of the token used.
What Happened
The Cardano Foundation announced the integration on Wednesday, describing it as part of a three-way partnership with DFX.swiss and Swiss fintech Brick Towers, whose savings app Urble lets users hold ADA and spend it at participating stores.
According to DFX.swiss, Open Crypto Pay reduces merchant transaction fees by roughly two-thirds compared to traditional card networks - the core commercial incentive for retailers. Spar Switzerland's managing director André Scherrer cited that cost advantage when the original August 2025 rollout launched.
ADA currently trades near $0.27, down more than 36% from its late 2025 high. Open Crypto Pay does not implement specific double-spend protection for physical retail, describing it as a "theoretical issue," a position that may draw scrutiny as the system scales.
Why It Matters
Spar's original August 2025 rollout projected expansion to 300 stores. The current 137 figure - unchanged from the Binance Pay launch - suggests the chain's broader crypto payment ambitions are still in progress.
Notable gaps remain: according to Open Crypto Pay's map, stores in Geneva, Bern, and Davos have not been onboarded.
Switzerland's broader crypto retail landscape includes Lugano, where roughly 350 businesses accept Bitcoin for payment.
The Swiss National Bank, however, has declined to add cryptocurrency to its reserves, with chairman Martin Schlegel citing volatility concerns in April 2025.
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