Merchants Assess Crypto Card Costs Beyond Checkout

Why this is here: Merchants are prioritizing systems that reduce uncertainty, with many unwilling to change accounting processes for crypto payments.

Revolut launched its first physical cryptocurrency debit card on May 18, prompting merchants to focus on back-end costs. Businesses are less concerned with how payment originates and more with reliable settlement, seamless reconciliation, and manageable fraud. Merchants increasingly ask payment service providers (PSPs) and issuers to deliver enterprise-grade systems comparable to traditional card rails.

Accepting crypto payments introduces complexities across treasury operations, refunds, and accounting. Merchants want clarity on volatility risk, refund methods, and ERP system compatibility. WalletConnect CEO Jess Houlgrave notes that merchants generally prefer a simple “switch-on” solution for crypto payments, without altering existing accounting processes.

PSPs are now critical translators between blockchain systems and conventional financial infrastructure. They face pressure to provide robust treasury capabilities, especially liquidity management, to avoid delays and maintain working capital. Ultimately, merchant adoption depends on crypto’s ability to replicate the dependability of traditional finance, not simply innovate.