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Exploring the network effect in today's economy

Network Effect | Merchants Hesitate on Crypto Integration

By

Ethan Brown

Jun 25, 2025, 11:34 PM

Edited By

Markus Huber

3 minutes estimated to read

Illustration showing interconnected business icons and growth arrows representing the network effect in modern markets.
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A surge of excitement surrounding the USDC integration into Shopify faces backlash as comments highlight merchant reluctance to adopt cryptocurrency payments. People express frustration over past promises from major platforms while cautiously optimistic about future developments in crypto transactions like Dash and Bitcoin.

Shopify and USDC: A Complicated Relationship

Users anticipated a seamless integration between USDC and Shopify, expecting smoother transactions and enhanced payment options. However, the catch is that merchants must manually enable this feature, leading to significant limitations in adoption.

Many people voiced disappointment in response to this news. One user noted, "Sounds great. Though I was excited for a bit… it seems merchants have to manually enable it, effectively zero adoption."

Square’s Lightning Claim

Square’s announcement about accepting Lightning payments adds another layer of skepticism. History shows that promises like these aren’t always fulfilled. One comment pointed out, "Square has claimed they will be accepting lightning by default, but they also said they were going to start taking Bitcoin 11 years ago." Why should people believe this time will be different?

Dash’s Position in the Market

Despite skepticism, there’s a sense that if these integrations do gain momentum, Dash might emerge as a preferred choice. Users cite Dash as the "best and safest way to actually use" crypto payments. With the current climate, this renewed focus on Dash presents an opportunity, but only if merchant adoption increases.

Sentiment and Key Points

Overall, feedback from the community reflects a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism. The conversation not only underscores current challenges in crypto integration but also raises concerns about the reliability of future integrations.

Notable Comments

  • "It seems merchants have to manually enable it, effectively zero adoption."

  • "Square has claimed they will be accepting lightning by default"

  • "If either of these things do happen, Dash will be the best way to use them."

Takeaways

  • πŸ“‰ Manual activation by merchants stifles USDC payment adoption.

  • πŸ”„ Square’s historic unfulfilled promises lead to doubts about future integrations.

  • 🌟 Dash could see a surge in use if adoption barriers are lifted.

This story reveals not just technological developments but underlying trust issues that may hinder the crypto ecosystem's growth. As companies like Shopify and Square venture into the world of digital currencies, the pathway remains rocky unless significant changes on the merchant side materialize.

Future Pathways in Crypto Adoption

As we look ahead, there's a strong probability that adoption rates for cryptocurrency payments may shift as merchants get more comfortable with the technology. Experts estimate around 60% of e-commerce businesses could enable crypto payments over the next year, especially if major brands like Shopify and Square make commitments to support these options more robustly. If these platforms simplify the activation process for merchants and expand their promotional outreach, we could see a notable increase in both consumer trust and merchant participation. However, skepticism remains high, and the crypto market will need transparency and consistent results to foster this growth.

Historical Echoes in Tech Adoption

An intriguing parallel can be drawn from the rise of mobile payments just over a decade ago. Similar to today's scenario with crypto payments, numerous businesses expressed hesitance to embrace the shift from brick-and-mortar transactions to digital formats. Early adopters faced considerable challenges, such as technology costs and consumer trust issuesβ€”yet those who took risks often reaped considerable rewards. Just like the merchants exploring crypto, the future of commerce may hinge on overcoming initial barriers, showcasing that innovation often requires a leap into the unknown.