The possibility of accepting cryptocurrencies in businesses in Spain is an idea that, while attractive to many, also generates uncertainty. Questions about the security of these transactions and their legality under Spanish regulations are common. With the rise of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, customer demand for this payment option is growing. However, taking this step without adequate information could expose your business to unnecessary risks.
This article aims to reveal the reality of cryptocurrency payments in Spain, understand their legal implications, manage inherent risks, and discover how to turn this trend into a competitive advantage for any business.
Is It Legal to Accept Cryptocurrency Payments in Spain?
Yes, it is entirely legal. Cryptocurrencies can be considered alternative payment methods in Spain. In fact, the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) and Hacienda (Tax Agency) regulate their use, requiring identity verification (KYC) and compliance with tax obligations if profits are obtained.
Specifically, the CNMV oversees entities operating with cryptocurrencies and ensures investor protection. Meanwhile, Hacienda establishes tax obligations for Bitcoin transactions. As additional information, since 2021, Spain requires exchanges operating within the country to be registered with the Bank of Spain as cryptocurrency service providers.
What Regulations Currently Apply?
Spain is governed by the Securities Market Law and the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which came into full application on December 30, 2024.
The MiCA Regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is a European regulation approved by the European Parliament and Council. Its goal is to establish a common regulatory framework for crypto-asset markets across the European Union (EU).
Crypto and the Anti-Money Laundering Law
In Spain, cryptocurrencies are subject to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) regulations, especially since the entry into force of Royal Decree-Law 7/2021, aimed at combating money laundering.
According to this regulation, cryptocurrency exchange and trading companies must register in the Registry of Exchange Service Providers at the Bank of Spain. This ensures compliance with anti-money laundering obligations.
What Risks Exist When Accepting Cryptocurrencies?
Cryptocurrencies bring undeniable benefits: greater efficiency, speed, and resilience in payment processes. However, they also present vulnerabilities that can become risks for businesses if not properly managed.
Key challenges include the illicit use of crypto assets for terrorist financing, evasion of financial sanctions, scams, or theft of funds. They also remain the most common payment method on fraudulent online stores and black markets, where drugs, weapons, or illegal medicines are traded.
The key is not to reject this technology but to implement control mechanisms that minimize these risks. Tools such as identity verification (KYC/KYB), real-time transaction monitoring, PEP and AML screening, or specialized fund security systems allow businesses to accept cryptocurrencies safely and in full compliance with regulations.
This way, the potential of cryptocurrencies can be fully leveraged, ensuring trust for both merchants and customers.
Price Volatility: How to Avoid Losses?
The cryptocurrency market is no stranger to volatility. While price drops and dramatic corrections are common in this space, they often cause panic among investors. Below are some strategies to help avoid losses:
- Understanding market volatility, without panic: The crypto market is volatile, but panicking during a downturn often leads to poor decisions. Instead, it is recommended to use tools that automatically convert the amount of cryptocurrency paid by your users into euros or another currency.
- Educate yourself continuously. Staying informed and proactive in education helps anticipate market movements rather than react to them.
How Can You Accept Crypto Securely?
Digitalization is transforming all aspects of daily life, so accepting cryptocurrencies as a payment method is an option increasingly considered by businesses.
In Spain, cryptocurrency payments are gaining ground. This trend is due to both the flexibility they offer and their notable economic and technological advantages. Although traditional payment methods still dominate, cryptocurrencies are consolidating as a solid alternative for future-oriented businesses.
If you’ve decided to accept cryptocurrencies as a payment method, the next step is to know the tools that will facilitate this transition:
- Payment platforms. These offer a modern alternative to traditional payment methods, facilitating international transactionsand eliminating intermediaries.
• Digital wallets. For those who prefer greater control over crypto payments, another option is to receive them directly in a digital wallet. These allow autonomous management of digital assets without intermediaries, ensuring full ownership of received cryptocurrencies.
• Plugins for e-commerce. If your business operates on e-commerce platforms, plugins simplify the integration of cryptocurrency payments.
Solutions Like Bitnovo Pay for Businesses
For businesses in Spain looking to incorporate cryptocurrencies, platforms like Bitnovo Pay offer a comprehensive and simple solution.
With it, your business—whether online or physical—can start receiving payments from millions of users already operating with cryptocurrencies. Best of all, the business receives euros: simply set the price in local currency and share a QR code or payment link.
Bitnovo Pay is compatible with over 300 crypto wallets and accepts more than 16 major cryptocurrencies, including payments via the Bitcoin Network, ensuring fast and efficient transactions. Besides expanding the customer base, businesses benefit from significantly lower fees than traditional credit cards and, crucially, eliminate fraudulent charges, as crypto payments are irreversible.
Total Control: Crypto Without Complications or Legal Risks
Although considerations exist, many view accepting BTC and other cryptocurrencies—even as a small business—as a win-win situation. Benefits often outweigh challenges, with minimal downsides and significant potential rewards.
Advantages of Accepting Cryptocurrencies in Your Business
In Spain, adopting cryptocurrencies in business is not just a matter of relevance but also of tangible and highly attractive advantages. One of the most revealing is undoubtedly the reduction in transaction fees. For any Spanish business handling high transaction volumes, savings can translate into substantial figures at month-end.
Equally, accepting cryptocurrencies opens doors to a global market without the constraints of currency exchange rates and high international bank fees. This means Spanish businesses can conduct cross-border transactions smoothly and economically, allowing them to serve customers worldwide without friction.
Definitively, security and fraud prevention also play a key role. Cryptocurrency transactions are final, eliminating chargebacks—something costing businesses billions annually in fraudulent disputes. This makes crypto payments particularly attractive to merchants in industries where chargebacks are common, such as e-commerce and online services.
Real Cases of Businesses Accepting Crypto in Spain
The adoption of cryptocurrencies as a payment method is already a reality in various Spanish businesses across sectors:
- Motor Munich, a leading BMW dealership in Spain, allows purchasing luxury vehicles using cryptocurrencies via Bitnovo Pay.
• Carrefourand Carrefour Service Stations have integrated this option.
• Cepsa also accepts cryptocurrency payments.
• Travel platforms like Atrapalo and Smartbox offer this alternative.
• BBVA, after CNMV approval under MiCA, enabled operations via its mobile app.
• Travala.com allows payments with cryptocurrencies at over 2 million hotels worldwide. Regarding this, Juan Otero, CEO of Travala, stated:
«The borderless nature of cryptocurrencies makes tourism one of the clearest use cases, allowing us to offer real utility and seamless service globally.»
Welcome to a new era of travel.
In 2024, over $100M was transacted on Travala—80% in crypto.
Crypto travelers:
🏆 Have a 3x greater avg lifetime value
🏝️ Stay 3.5x longer
💰 Spend 2.5x more per trip
✈️ Book 52% closer to departure
🏨 Are 57% more likely to book a hotel again pic.twitter.com/tAH55LLnMH— Travala.com 🏨 ✈️ (@travalacom) May 23, 2025
To conclude, as Charles Darwin wisely said:
«It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.»
Are you ready to adapt your business in Spain and embrace the future of payments? The path is laid out, and the opportunity awaits. Join thousands of merchants already accepting crypto.
