Accepting Bitcoin – The guide for companies & the self-employed
Accepting Bitcoin – more and more merchants, service providers and online entrepreneurs are asking themselves precisely this question.
But as soon as you delve deeper, you quickly realize:
There is no single solution for accepting Bitcoin.
Whether you want to accept Bitcoin in a store, in an online store or on a WordPress site – the right solution always depends on your requirements.
Because before I can make a specific recommendation, a few basic questions need to be clarified:
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Where do you want to accept Bitcoin – offline or online?
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What technical environment do you use?
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Would you like to keep Bitcoin or convert it directly into euros?
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How do you deal with accounting and taxes?
This guide will help you to make a structured decision on how you can accept Bitcoin and which solution makes sense for your business model.
Where would you like to accept Bitcoin?
The most important first question is:
Does the payment take place in person on site – or online?
👉 Do you want to accept Bitcoin offline or online?
Accept Bitcoin in stores (offline / stationary trade)
If you run a store, restaurant, café or market stall, you can accept Bitcoin directly on site – just like a card payment.
To accept Bitcoin in a store, you need a so-called Bitcoin Point of Sale System (Bitcoin POS).
This can be operated as:
- Web-based solution (in the browser)
- App on smartphone or tablet
- Special hardware terminal
- Integration into existing POS systems
The procedure is simple:
- You enter the euro amount.
- The system automatically calculates the current Bitcoin exchange rate.
- Your customer scans the QR code.
- The payment is confirmed (Lightning in seconds).
This allows you to accept Bitcoin without any prior technical knowledge.
👉 Detailed instructions:
https://coincharge.io/bitcoin-im-geschaeft-akzeptieren/
Accept Bitcoin in your online store (eCommerce)
If you want to accept Bitcoin online, there are several options.
Accept Bitcoin in classic store systems
Do you run a store with:
- WooCommerce
- Shopify
- Shopware
- Magento
- or another eCommerce system?
Then you can integrate Bitcoin via a plugin or payment module.
This makes Bitcoin appear as an additional payment method alongside credit card or PayPal.
👉 Instructions for online stores:
https://coincharge.io/bitcoin-zahlungen-im-online-shop-akzeptieren/
Accept Bitcoin on a website
Not everyone sells through a traditional online store.
You can also accept Bitcoin for:
Suitable here:
- WordPress-Plugins
- Payment links
- HTML payment buttons
- Invoice links by e-mail or WhatsApp
Payment links in particular are a particularly easy way to quickly accept Bitcoin – without the need for a store system.
Which provider do you need to accept Bitcoin?
To be able to accept Bitcoin professionally, you usually need a Bitcoin payment provider (Bitcoin payment gateway).
If a customer pays €50 in Bitcoin, the provider takes over:
- Automatic price calculation
- Processing of on-chain and lightning payments
- Payment confirmation
- Transaction documentation
- Forwarding to your wallet or bank account
Many providers offer ready-made integrations so that you can accept Bitcoin with just a few clicks.
👉 Provider comparison:
https://coincharge.io/bitcoin-zahlungsanbieter/
Would you like to keep Bitcoin or have it paid out in euros?
Before you accept Bitcoin, you should ask yourself the strategic question of whether you want to keep the Bitcoin or have it paid out to your bank account.
Accept and keep Bitcoin (self-custody)
If you want to hold Bitcoin for the long term, you should opt for a self-custody solution.
Suitable providers are e.g:
- Coinsnap
- BTCPay Server
- Zaprite
- Flash
The Bitcoin is transferred directly to your own wallet.
For this you need:
Advantage:
- Full control over your Bitcoin
- No safekeeping by third parties
Accept Bitcoin and change to euros automatically
If you don’t want to bear any exchange rate risk, you can accept Bitcoin and have it automatically converted into euros immediately.
Either:
- Directly via a payment provider with bank payment
- Or via providers such as DFX, Wave.Space or bringin
The euro amounts will then be transferred to your bank account.
Advantage:
- No price risk
- Simple accounting
- No wallet management
Taxes and accounting when accepting Bitcoin
Anyone who accepts Bitcoin must document the transactions correctly.
Important:
- The euro value at the time of payment is decisive.
- If you keep Bitcoin, the inflow is considered a purchase at the exchange rate at the time.
- All transactions must be documented in a traceable manner.
Most Bitcoin payment providers offer:
- CSV export
- Transaction overviews
- Exchange rate documentation
This allows you to provide your tax advisor with all the necessary information.
The 5-step checklist: How to accept Bitcoin
If you want to accept Bitcoin, go through these steps:
- Offline or online?
- Which system do you use (PoS, Internet, store, WordPress)?
- Keep Bitcoin or change to euros?
- Self-custody or custodial provider?
- How do I integrate this into my accounting?
Only then should you decide on a concrete solution.
Conclusion: Accepting Bitcoin is easier than many think
Accepting Bitcoin is technically uncomplicated today.
The real challenge is to choose the right solution for your business model.
With Coincharge you will find:
- Step-by-step instructions
- Provider comparisons
- Practical solutions for retail & eCommerce
- Video explanations on YouTube
Start here:
👉 Accept Bitcoin in stores
https://coincharge.io/bitcoin-im-geschaeft-akzeptieren/
👉 Accept Bitcoin in the online store
https://coincharge.io/bitcoin-zahlungen-im-online-shop-akzeptieren/
👉 Compare Bitcoin payment providers
https://coincharge.io/bitcoin-zahlungsanbieter/
Frequently asked questions about accepting Bitcoin
How can I accept Bitcoin?
To accept Bitcoin, you need a Bitcoin payment provider (payment gateway). Depending on the location – retail store or online store – you integrate a point-of-sale system or a store plugin. The provider calculates the exchange rate, processes the payment and forwards it to your wallet or bank account.
Can I accept Bitcoin in the store?
Yes, you can accept Bitcoin in stationary retail with a Bitcoin point of sale (POS). This works via an app, a web-based solution or a terminal. The customer scans a QR code and pays via Lightning or Onchain – similar to a card payment.
How do I accept Bitcoin in the online store?
You can integrate Bitcoin into your online store using a plugin or payment module. Store systems such as WooCommerce, Shopify or Shopware support corresponding extensions. After installation, Bitcoin appears as an additional payment method in the checkout.
Do I need my own wallet to accept Bitcoin?
That depends on your strategy. If you want to keep Bitcoin, you need your own wallet (self-custody). If you want to have the turnover automatically paid out in euros, the payment provider will take care of the conversion and transfer the amount to your bank account.
Can I have Bitcoin automatically converted into euros?
Yes, many Bitcoin payment providers offer automatic conversion into euros. The Bitcoin amount is immediately exchanged at the current exchange rate and transferred to your bank account. This means you bear no exchange rate risk.
Is it complicated to accept Bitcoin?
No. Technically, it is easy to accept Bitcoin today. With a suitable provider, it often only takes a few minutes to set up. The only important thing is to decide in advance whether you want to keep Bitcoin or convert it to euros.
How does accounting work if I accept Bitcoin?
When accepting Bitcoin, the euro value at the time of payment counts for accounting purposes. Payment providers provide transaction data including exchange rate, date and amount as a CSV export. This data can be passed on to the accounting department or tax consultant.
Free initial consultation
If you would like to find out more about how you can accept Bitcoin, arrange your free initial consultation with us now.
