Convenience retailer SPAR live with Bitcoin payments over Lightning Network in Switzerland store

Bitcoin payments are now accepted at SPAR stores in Switzerland, starting with Zug.

Customers can scan a QR code at the register, and complete their payment using Bitcoin over the Lightning Network - with fees said to be as low as $0.04.

This has gone live on BTC Map, a community driven project highlighting stores that accept Bitcoin payments, DFX Swiss, a crypto-to-fiat payment solution firm, announced last week.

“This SPAR location is among the first supermarkets in Switzerland where you can pay directly at the checkout using Bitcoin (via LNURL), thanks to our new Open Crypto Pay solution, an open P2P standard for in-person crypto payments,” DFX Swiss said.

There are currently over 13,900 SPAR branded stores in 48+ countries on four continents, serving around 14.7 million consumers every day.

🎉 We're excited to share that the SPAR Switzerland store in Zug, Bahnhofstrasse 10, is now live on @BTCMap!

BTC Map is a community-driven project that highlights places around the world where Bitcoin is accepted – and now, the SPAR store in Zug is one of them!

This SPAR… pic.twitter.com/xRHNM0cfkZ

— DFX (@DFX_swiss) April 16, 2025

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Payments will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in April, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.