1. Why do some retailers accept Bitcoin

Accepting Bitcoin is not a trend: it is a natural evolution of payment methods. More and more customers want to settle in Bitcoin, not to speculate, but to use an alternative, fast, global and decentralized currency.

This trend is accelerating with the arrival of the Lightning Network, a technology that makes Bitcoin payments almost instant and without high fees.

2. The concrete advantages for a business

Accepting Bitcoin via the Lightning Network allows:

• Very low fees: no percentage taken as with Visa or Mastercard.
• Instant payments: just a few seconds are enough.
• No risk of chargebacks (payments are irreversible)
• A new clientele: travelers, young generations, convinced users of Bitcoin.
• An image of modernity and openness to innovation.
• Income stored in a currency that is resistant to inflation.

One of the major advantages of paying in Bitcoin concerns the reduction of costs: transaction fees are almost zero, unlike credit card payments which charge between 1.5% and 3% of the amount of each sale.

Moreover, according to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU, judgment of 22 October 2015, judgment of 22 October 2015, case C‑264/14, Hedqvist), exchanges of Bitcoin against traditional currencies are considered payment transactions exempt from VAT. This means that accepting Bitcoin as a payment method does not generate additional VAT on the conversion itself.

3. The Lightning Network: The Key to Simplicity

The Lightning Network is a technology that works on top of the Bitcoin network. It allows instant payments to be made at a very low cost, while remaining completely secure.

In concrete terms, this means that:
• A payment is validated in a few seconds.
• The fees are close to zero.
• The user experience is smooth, comparable to Payconiq or Apple Pay.
• The merchant remains in control of his funds, without a bank intermediary.

4. How a merchant can adopt it

Setting up a Bitcoin payment is now simple and accessible. There are several solutions depending on the business profile:

• Lightning compatible payment terminal (for cash register or smartphone).
• QR code to scan on the screen or the bill.
• Website integration for online sales.

It is also possible to automatically convert payments received into euros to avoid volatility, while taking advantage of the low costs and tax advantages recognized by the CJEU.

5. In summary

Accepting Bitcoin is not a gamble:

It is a opening up to a more direct, faster and fairer digital economy.

You stay master of your payments, you reduce your costs And you offer your customers a modern and simple experience.

Innovation is no longer just for big retailers — it's starting in local shops, with concrete, accessible and safe solutions.

Chez NovCoin, we support Belgian retailers and entrepreneurs A to Z, with one approach at a time pedagogical and operational : understanding, installation, training and compliance.

Our mission: to help you adopt Bitcoin with complete peace of mind.