Once you decide to try crypto payments, the next question is how. In 2026 the main options for a US store come from companies you probably already know: Coinbase, Stripe, PayPal and Square. They differ on the coins they accept, what lands in your account, where they work and what they cost.
This comparison uses each provider's own documentation or reporting on their launches, as of October 2026. Fees and features change often, so confirm the current terms before you sign up.
Key takeaways
- Stripe accepts stablecoins such as USDC and settles in your local currency, with a listed fee of 1.5%.
- PayPal Pay with Crypto accepts over 100 cryptocurrencies, converts to PYUSD or dollars and was reported at a 0.99% merchant fee.
- Coinbase Business accepts USDC through payment links, invoices and checkouts, and is open to businesses registered in the US or Singapore. ShelfPerks has integrated it, so crypto appears at a ShelfPerks checkout like any other payment method.
- Square bitcoin payments are built for the point of sale, with fees waived through 2026 and a 1% fee from January 1, 2027.
- Canadian retailers have fewer options: none of these four products lists Canada among supported business locations in the sources reviewed.
The comparison at a glance
| Coinbase Business | Stripe stablecoin payments | PayPal Pay with Crypto | Square bitcoin payments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What customers pay with | USDC on the Base network (Coinbase says USDT is coming) | USDC on Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Base and Tempo; USDP and USDG in the US | Over 100 cryptocurrencies | Bitcoin |
| What you receive | USDC, with optional conversion to dollars for a fee | Local currency in your Stripe balance | PYUSD or dollars | Bitcoin in an integrated Square wallet |
| Merchant fee | 1% for merchants who moved from Commerce; current fees shown after login | 1.5% | 0.99% (reported at launch) | 0% through 2026, then 1% from January 1, 2027 |
| Best for | Payment links, invoices, online checkout | Online checkout, invoices, subscriptions | Online checkout | In-store counter sales |
| Business locations | US and Singapore | US; private preview in the EU, Hong Kong, Mexico and Switzerland | US, excluding New York, at launch | US, excluding New York State |
Coinbase Business
Coinbase merged its older merchant product, Coinbase Commerce, into Coinbase Business. Merchants had to move by March 31, 2026, after which Commerce stopped creating new charges.
How it works: You accept payments through payment links, invoicing or checkouts added to your existing checkout. Coinbase says Coinbase Business is custodial, supports USDC only for now and lets you withdraw to your bank. It lists QuickBooks and Xero integrations.
Watch for: Coinbase Business is limited to businesses with a legal entity in the US or Singapore, with plans to expand in 2026. You need a registered business entity and a business bank account to apply. Coinbase's website notes that auto-conversion from USDC to dollars carries a fee.
Stripe stablecoin payments
How it works: Customers choose crypto at checkout and are redirected to Stripe's crypto page to connect a wallet and pay. Completed payments settle in your Stripe balance in local currency, so you never hold crypto. Stripe supports it in Checkout, Elements, Payment Links, Invoicing and Billing.
Watch for: Customers are limited to $10,000 per transaction. Refunds go back as stablecoins to the customer's original wallet. Stripe says there are no disputes that become chargebacks. Payout timing varies by network.
PayPal Pay with Crypto
How it works: Launched in July 2025, it lets customers connect wallets such as Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask, Kraken and OKX and pay with over 100 cryptocurrencies, according to Payments Journal. The payment is converted to PYUSD or dollars at checkout, so you avoid price swings.
Watch for: At launch, availability was limited to US users outside New York. The 0.99% fee was the launch figure; confirm current pricing with PayPal.
Square bitcoin payments
How it works: Square, owned by Block, launched bitcoin payments at the point of sale in October 2025. Merchants hold bitcoin in an integrated wallet and manage it from the Square dashboard, according to Cointelegraph.
Watch for: It accepts bitcoin, not stablecoins, so the value you hold can move with the bitcoin price. It is available to US sellers outside New York State. Fees are waived through 2026 and become 1% on January 1, 2027.
How to choose
Ask four questions:
- Where do you sell? Online-first stores fit Stripe, PayPal or Coinbase Business. Counter-first stores need a QR flow that staff can run quickly.
- Do you want to hold crypto? If not, choose a provider that settles in dollars or converts automatically, and price in the conversion fee.
- Which coins do your customers hold? Stablecoin-only providers suit customers who want to spend dollars on-chain. Customers who want to spend other coins need a wider-coin option.
- What is your total cost? Add the processing fee, any conversion fee, any withdrawal costs and your bookkeeping time.
What about Canadian retailers?
Options are thinner. Coinbase says Coinbase Business is currently available to businesses with a legal entity in the US or Singapore, and Stripe's stablecoin payments list the US plus private-preview regions that do not include Canada. Canadian retailers should check each provider's current country list and follow the Canada Revenue Agency's crypto-asset guidance for tax.
How crypto payments work in ShelfPerks
ShelfPerks has integrated Coinbase Business, Coinbase's payments product for companies. Here is how it works:
- Open a Coinbase Business account. Coinbase requires a registered business entity in the US or Singapore and a business bank account.
- Connect it to ShelfPerks. Once your Coinbase Business account is connected, crypto shows up at checkout as a payment option, just like cards and your other payment methods.
- Ring up the sale as usual. Your staff selects crypto as the payment method, the same way they would choose card or cash.
On the Coinbase side, according to Coinbase's developer documentation, each checkout is priced in dollars or USDC, the customer pays in USDC on the Base network, and the payment settles to your Coinbase Business account in USDC, with the fee shown on each payment. Full and partial refunds are supported. You can hold the USDC or withdraw to your bank, and Coinbase notes a fee for automatic conversion to dollars. Coinbase lists 1% pricing for merchants who moved over from Coinbase Commerce and shows current fees after you log in. ShelfPerks lists a payment provider integration fee of $20 per provider account, per location, per month.
Frequently asked questions
How does ShelfPerks process crypto payments?
ShelfPerks has integrated Coinbase Business. Once a merchant connects a Coinbase Business account, crypto appears at checkout as a payment option like any other. According to Coinbase, customers pay in USDC and payments settle to the merchant's Coinbase Business account in USDC.
What is the cheapest way for a small store to accept crypto?
Square waives bitcoin processing fees through 2026, PayPal Pay with Crypto was reported at 0.99% at launch, Coinbase Business charges 1% for merchants who moved from Commerce and Stripe lists 1.5% for stablecoin payments. Add conversion fees and bookkeeping time to compare total cost.
Which crypto processor settles in US dollars?
Stripe settles stablecoin payments in your Stripe balance in local currency, and PayPal converts crypto payments to PYUSD or dollars. Coinbase Business pays you in USDC, with optional conversion to dollars for a fee.
Can I accept crypto in store, not just online?
Yes. Square bitcoin payments are built for the point of sale. Other providers can work in store through QR codes and payment links, though a wallet payment usually takes longer than a card tap.
What happened to Coinbase Commerce?
Coinbase merged Coinbase Commerce into Coinbase Business. Merchants had to move by March 31, 2026, after which Commerce could no longer create new charges.
Can Canadian stores use these crypto processors?
Options are limited. Coinbase Business is currently available to businesses registered in the US or Singapore, and Stripe stablecoin payments do not list Canada among supported business locations. Check each provider's current country list.
Your next step
Pick the two providers that match where you sell, and compare their total cost on a typical month of your sales. To run payments next to your inventory and reports, try ShelfPerks with a 14-day free trial of Premium features, no credit card required, at grow.shelfperks.com.
