Why accept bitcoin
- No card fees
- Bitcoin payments cost little or nothing to receive, compared with the 2–3% you lose on every card tap.
- Paid in seconds
- Payments land while the customer is still at the counter, and they're final. There are no chargebacks.
- Customers looking for you
- People at our meetups want places to spend bitcoin locally. Founding merchants are the first places we'll send them.
- Nothing to install
- A point-of-sale app runs on the phone or tablet you already have.
What founding merchants get
- Free, in-person setup and a walkthrough for your staff
- A listing on this site and BTC Map
- A shout-out at meetups
- Opportunities to host meetups
How it works
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Get in touch
Send us an email or catch us at a meetup. Tell us what kind of business you run and the best time to drop by.
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We set you up
One of us comes by, helps you pick a free point-of-sale wallet that suits your business, and sets it up with prices in Canadian dollars.
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Pick a bitcoin discount
Choose a discount for people paying in bitcoin. 5% off or a free coffee or cookie helps incentivize adoption.
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Take your first payment
We'll make the first purchase on the spot so you and your staff see how it works, then send people your way.
Questions merchants ask
What does it cost?
Nothing to set up and no monthly fee. There are several free point-of-sale wallets, and most charge little or nothing to receive a payment. We'll help you compare them.
What if the price of bitcoin drops?
Your prices stay in dollars; the customer pays the bitcoin equivalent at the moment of sale. After that, the bitcoin is yours to hold or sell. Many merchants keep some and sell some, and we can show you how to do either.
How do I handle it for taxes?
A bitcoin sale is a sale like any other, recorded at its dollar value at the time. Your point-of-sale wallet keeps a history of every payment. Check with your accountant about how to book it.
Do my staff need to know anything about bitcoin?
No. They type the amount in dollars, the customer scans a QR code, and the screen shows when it's paid. It takes about two minutes to learn.
What if a customer's payment doesn't go through?
Nothing changes hands until the screen shows the payment as received. If it doesn't arrive, the customer pays another way.
Want to be a founding merchant?
Send us a note with your business name and town, and someone will get back to you within a few days.