Cryptocurrency payment acceptance among U.S. small businesses rose to 19% in 2026, up from 15% the previous year, according to a J.D. Power study. This recovery nearly returns levels to 2024's 20%, amid growing favorable views of the technology. Merchants cite speed and customer demand as key drivers, though fraud concerns persist.
The latest merchant services study from J.D. Power, released on Tuesday, reveals a rebound in cryptocurrency adoption among U.S. small businesses. Acceptance climbed to 19% in 2026, marking a four percentage point increase from the 15% low in 2025. This figure approaches the 20% recorded in the 2024 report, signaling stabilization after a downturn.
Merchant sentiment has improved notably, with 37% now viewing cryptocurrency favorably. Among non-accepting businesses, one third indicated they would likely adopt crypto payments if their provider offered the capability. John Cabell, managing director of payments intelligence at J.D. Power, attributed this shift to external factors: “More press and political support in recent months have likely boosted the favorability of this medium as a payment type for small business to consider offering.”
For those already accepting crypto, motivations include fast transaction speeds (28%), customer demand (27%), and reliable performance (25%). However, hurdles remain significant. Non-adopters most frequently mention lack of customer demand (24%) and fraud risk (24%) as barriers, alongside difficulty of use or complicated processes (18%). This concern over fraud stands out, given cryptocurrency's design to mitigate such issues through blockchain verification.
The study underscores a mixed landscape: while adoption edges higher, persistent worries could slow further progress unless addressed by payment providers and education efforts.