Accept Crypto Payments on Shopify: Complete 2026 Guide

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Over 5.6 million merchants use Shopify. A growing number — from streetwear brands to digital download shops — are adding cryptocurrency as a checkout option. The business case is concrete: crypto customers average 20–40% higher order values, chargebacks are impossible, and international payments clear without currency conversion friction.

This guide covers everything you need to accept crypto payments on Shopify in 2026: which apps work best, exact setup steps for each gateway, a complete fee breakdown, and the tax implications you need to know.

Why Add Crypto to Your Shopify Store?

Zero Chargebacks

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible by design. Once a customer pays in Bitcoin or Ethereum, no bank can reverse the payment. For merchants in high-chargeback industries — electronics, luxury goods, digital products — this alone justifies the integration. Average chargeback rates run 0.5–1.5% of revenue; eliminating them on crypto orders is real money.

Higher Average Order Values

Crypto-native customers, particularly long-term Bitcoin and Ethereum holders, have accumulated significant wealth. Multiple merchant surveys consistently show crypto payers with 20–40% higher AOV than credit card customers. The customer willing to pay in BTC often views it as a premium experience and spends accordingly.

Global Payments Without Friction

A customer in Argentina paying with USDT faces no currency conversion fees or card declines. A buyer in Nigeria sending Bitcoin doesn't need an internationally-capable card. Crypto removes the geographic payment barriers that quietly kill international sales. For a broader look at cross-border crypto payment strategy, see our guide on accepting crypto payments as a business.

Lower Net Fees vs. Credit Cards

Shopify Payments charges 2.5–2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. The best crypto gateways charge 0.5–1%. Even after Shopify's transaction fee for third-party processors, you often come out 1–2% ahead on large orders. On a $500 order, that's $5–$10 per transaction saved.

How Shopify Crypto Payments Work

Shopify doesn't process crypto payments natively — you need a third-party gateway app. Here's the exact payment flow:

1. Customer selects "Pay with Crypto" at Shopify checkout
2. Shopify redirects to the gateway's hosted payment page (or an on-page widget appears)
3. Customer scans a wallet address QR code and sends the cryptocurrency from their wallet
4. Gateway monitors the blockchain for transaction confirmation (1–3 confirmations, typically 10–60 min)
5. Gateway notifies Shopify of successful payment via webhook
6. Shopify marks the order as paid and triggers your normal fulfillment workflow
7. Gateway settles funds to your account (crypto or fiat) on a daily/weekly schedule

The customer experience is smooth — comparable to PayPal redirect. The order appears in your Shopify admin exactly like any other paid order, with the same fulfillment workflow.

Best Shopify Crypto Payment Apps (Compared)

NOWPayments — Best for Coin Variety

NOWPayments supports over 300 cryptocurrencies — the widest selection of any Shopify-compatible gateway. At 0.5% per transaction (the lowest of any hosted option), it fits stores targeting a global crypto audience. Their free Shopify app connects in minutes. Daily payouts available in crypto or fiat. Auto-conversion lets you receive everything in USDT or BTC regardless of what the customer sends.

CoinGate — Best Fiat Settlement

CoinGate charges 1% but delivers the most robust bank settlement pipeline: EUR via SEPA (1–2 days), USD and GBP via SWIFT. They also support Lightning Network — instant Bitcoin payments with near-zero miner fees. Best for European merchants who want crypto revenue deposited in euros without touching crypto themselves.

BitPay — Best for US Merchants

BitPay has been processing crypto payments since 2011 — the most battle-tested option. USD settlement to US bank accounts arrives next business day. BitPay is licensed in all 50 US states, which matters for regulated industries. Coin support is narrower (BTC, ETH, XRP, stablecoins), but quality over quantity for most US merchants.

Plisio — Best Budget Option

Plisio matches NOWPayments' 0.5% fee with a lean, well-reviewed Shopify plugin. Supports BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, XMR, and major stablecoins. Settlements are in crypto only — if you want fiat, you'll convert manually on an exchange. Best for merchants comfortable holding crypto or using stablecoins (USDT/USDC) as their settlement currency.

Step-by-Step: NOWPayments on Shopify

Step 1: Create a NOWPayments Account

1. Go to nowpayments.io and click "Get Started"
2. Register with your business email and verify your address
3. Complete the merchant KYC form: business name, website URL, business description
4. Account approval typically takes under 24 hours

Step 2: Configure Your Payout Wallet

1. In your NOWPayments dashboard, go to Settings → Payout Settings
2. Add your crypto wallet address (for crypto payouts) or bank account (for fiat settlement)
3. Enable "Auto Conversion" if you want all incoming payments converted to one coin (e.g., USDT)
4. Set your minimum payout threshold to avoid excessive bank transfer fees

Step 3: Install the Shopify App

1. Search "NOWPayments" in the Shopify App Store
2. Click "Add app" and authorize the Shopify permissions
3. In app settings, paste your NOWPayments API key (from Dashboard → Settings → API Keys)
4. Select which cryptocurrencies to display at checkout (tip: limit to top 5–8 for better UX)
5. Save settings — the crypto option now appears at checkout automatically

Step 4: Test the Integration

1. Enable Sandbox mode in NOWPayments dashboard
2. Place a test order on your Shopify store and proceed to checkout
3. Verify the crypto payment widget appears and renders correctly
4. Complete a simulated test payment and confirm Shopify marks the order "Paid"
5. Disable Sandbox mode and go live — you're ready to accept real crypto payments

Step-by-Step: CoinGate on Shopify

Step 1: Create a CoinGate Business Account

1. Visit coingate.com and register
2. Complete business verification — EU merchants take 1–3 business days
3. Add your bank account details for EUR/USD settlement

Step 2: Generate an API Token

1. In the CoinGate dashboard, go to Apps → Generate New Token
2. Name the token (e.g., "Shopify Store") and set permissions to "Merchant"
3. Copy the API token — you'll paste it into the Shopify plugin

Step 3: Install and Configure CoinGate's Shopify App

1. Search "CoinGate" in the Shopify App Store and install
2. Enter your CoinGate API token in the plugin settings
3. Choose your settlement currency: EUR, USD, GBP, or keep as crypto
4. Enable Lightning Network if you want instant Bitcoin payments at lower miner fees
5. Select which coins to display at checkout

Step 4: Run a Test Order

CoinGate provides a sandbox environment. Set your API token to sandbox mode, place a test order, and verify the full flow from checkout to order confirmation. Switch to production once confirmed.

Step-by-Step: BitPay on Shopify

Step 1: Create a BitPay Business Account

1. Go to bitpay.com/business and click "Get Started"
2. Register and complete full KYC (government ID required — 1–2 business days to approve)
3. Link your US bank account for next-day USD settlements

Step 2: Generate API Credentials

1. In the BitPay Dashboard, navigate to Payment Tools → Manage API Tokens
2. Click "Add New Token" with "Merchant" access level
3. Pair the token by scanning the QR code with the BitPay app or copying it manually

Step 3: Install and Configure the BitPay Shopify Plugin

1. Search "BitPay" in the Shopify App Store and install
2. In plugin settings, enter your API token
3. Select "Test" mode for testing, then switch to "Production" after verification
4. Configure accepted coins: BTC, ETH, XRP, USDC are most popular for US buyers

Fee Comparison: True Total Cost per Transaction

The advertised fee isn't the full picture. Shopify adds its own transaction fee on top. Here's the real total cost on a $100 order on the standard Shopify plan (1% transaction fee):

Shopify transaction fee varies: Basic=2%, Shopify=1%, Advanced=0.5%, Plus=0.15%. Table uses Shopify plan rate.

How Your Shopify Plan Affects Crypto Fees

For high-volume stores processing $50,000+/month in crypto, upgrading to Shopify Advanced saves more than its monthly cost in transaction fee reductions. Do the math for your specific volume — it's often worth the plan upgrade.

Tax & Accounting Considerations

Revenue Recognition at Payment Time

When you receive crypto as payment, the USD fair market value at the moment of receipt is your gross revenue for tax purposes. Your accounting needs to capture the BTC/ETH price at the exact payment timestamp — not when you convert to fiat. Most gateways include this in their settlement reports.

Use Fiat Settlement to Simplify Accounting

The cleanest accounting approach: use a gateway with automatic fiat settlement (CoinGate, BitPay, NOWPayments with fiat option). You receive USD/EUR directly, and the gateway handles all crypto-to-fiat conversion. Your books look identical to any other payment processor — just a deposit from your payment provider.

Sales Tax Still Applies

Paying in crypto does not exempt an order from sales tax. Shopify's normal tax settings apply — your existing tax rules and rates are calculated and charged regardless of payment method. No changes needed on the tax configuration side.

Reconciliation

Export your gateway's settlement reports monthly and reconcile against Shopify's order export. Most major gateways (CoinGate, BitPay, NOWPayments) integrate with QuickBooks and Xero, or export CSV files compatible with accounting software.

For platform-agnostic payment integration details, see our full website payment guide and our complete crypto payment gateway comparison. For WordPress/WooCommerce stores, see our WooCommerce crypto plugin guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I accept crypto payments on Shopify?

Yes. Shopify supports third-party crypto gateways via its app store. Install NOWPayments, CoinGate, BitPay, or Plisio to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and hundreds of other coins at checkout. Setup takes under an hour for most merchants.

What is the best crypto payment gateway for Shopify?

NOWPayments is the best all-rounder: 0.5% fee, 300+ coins, free Shopify app. CoinGate wins on fiat settlement quality for European merchants. BitPay is the top pick for US merchants needing USD bank deposits and regulatory compliance.

Does Shopify charge extra fees for crypto payments?

Yes — Shopify charges a transaction fee (2% on Basic, 1% on Shopify plan, 0.5% on Advanced, 0.15% on Plus) on all third-party processors. Since crypto gateways are third-party, this fee applies. On the Shopify plan, total effective fees run 1.5–2% for crypto vs. ~3.2% for credit cards.

Can customers pay with crypto and I receive USD or EUR?

Yes. CoinGate, BitPay, and NOWPayments offer fiat settlement. The exchange rate is locked at payment time — your customer pays BTC and you receive USD. No cryptocurrency exposure or manual conversion needed.

Is there a free crypto payment plugin for Shopify?

All major crypto gateways — NOWPayments, CoinGate, BitPay, Plisio — offer free Shopify apps. There is no monthly subscription; you only pay per-transaction fees. Installation is free; you pay when you sell.