Numo (Numopay): Accept Bitcoin tap-to-pay via NFC in stores
Numo, also known as Numopay, is a new Bitcoin point-of-sale solution that allows merchants to accept Bitcoin contactlessly via NFC. Instead of QR code and manual scanning, Numo enables a Bitcoin tap-to-pay payment that feels similar to Apple Pay or Google Pay – only entirely Bitcoin-based.
Numo promises a simple solution for merchants who want to accept Bitcoin in-store: no card reader, no additional hardware, no platform fees. An NFC-enabled Android device is all you need.
I have installed and tested Numopay on an Android-based Bitcoinize terminal.
What is Numo or Numopay?
Numo is an open-source Bitcoin point-of-sale app for Android that supports both Lightning payments and Cashu ecash. The aim of the application is to make Bitcoin payments in stationary retail as easy as contactless card payments.
While many merchants accept Bitcoin via QR code and Lightning, Numo goes one step further. By using NFC (Near Field Communication), customers can simply hold their smartphone up to the merchant’s device and the payment is processed within a few seconds.
Numopay is thus positioning itself as a solution for Bitcoin NFC payments in stores.
Bitcoin Tap-to-Pay: How NFC payment with Numo works
The Bitcoin Tap-to-Pay function is based on the open Cashu ecash protocol. During the payment process, the merchant’s Android device emulates an NFC tag with a payment request. A compatible wallet of the customer reads this information and transmits back a corresponding ecash token.
For the customer, the process feels like a normal contactless payment. No QR code, no lengthy confirmation, no technical detours.
Numopay also supports classic lightning payments in-store. Merchants can switch to a BOLT11 invoice, which is displayed as a QR code, at any time. This means that Numo works with almost any Bitcoin Lightning wallet.
Numo thus combines Lightning and ecash in one platform and offers merchants the advantages of both systems.
Supported wallets for Bitcoin NFC and Lightning
The tap-to-pay function requires a compatible Cashu Wallet, such as eNuts, Sovran, Macadamia, Cashu.me, Minibits or Phoenix.
Lightning payments, on the other hand, work with practically all common wallets, including Alby Go, Blink Wallet, Cash App, Fedi, Muun, Strike, Wallet of Satoshi or Zeus.
Important for practical use: The NFC function for Bitcoin Tap-to-Pay currently only works on Android devices. Direct NFC payment is not possible on iPhones due to iOS restrictions. iOS users can, however, pay via Lightning QR without any problems.
Accept Bitcoin in stores – even offline
A special feature of Numopay is its offline capability. If the Internet connection is poor, Cashu ecash payments can still be made. Synchronization takes place automatically as soon as the device is online again.
This is a decisive advantage over classic lightning payments, especially in stationary retail, at markets or events with an unstable network.
With this function, Numo brings Bitcoin payments in stores closer to the reliability of classic card terminals.
Merchant functions: More than just a Bitcoin NFC terminal
Numopay is not just an NFC terminal for Bitcoin, but a complete point-of-sale solution. Merchants can enter amounts directly via an integrated keypad or create a structured product catalog. Items can be entered manually or imported via a CSV file.
Products can be categorized so that fixed prices can be selected at the touch of a finger. Numo also supports a tipping function, which is particularly relevant for restaurants and service providers.
Sales can be tracked and exported. This makes Numo suitable for both flexible individual amounts and structured sales environments.
Immediate processing without fees
Numopay advertises immediate settlement within seconds. There are no chargebacks, no chargebacks and no platform fees. Merchants keep the full amount of their Bitcoin payment, apart from minimal network fees.
The app is completely open source and is licensed under the MIT license. There is no vendor lock-in and no hidden costs.
Numo is currently available as an official APK via GitHub, and a release in the Google Play Store has been announced.
Is Numo a real alternative to Bitcoin in brick-and-mortar retail?
Numo shows what Bitcoin contactless payment can feel like in-store. The combination of NFC tap-to-pay, lightning support, offline capability and integrated merchandise management makes the solution technically extremely interesting.
Numopay is still primarily relevant for Bitcoin-savvy merchants and Android users. The limited NFC compatibility on iOS remains a limiting factor for broad acceptance.
Nevertheless, Numo marks an important step towards mass Bitcoin payments in stationary retail. If Bitcoin feels just as easy to use as a card payment, the inhibition threshold for customers will drop significantly.
For merchants who want to accept Bitcoin in-store and are looking for an innovative, hardware-free solution, Numo is definitely worth a closer look.
Zur Numopay Homepage: https://numopay.org/
