Bitcoin.com rolled out a new payments app Wednesday that lets merchants accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies without taking on price risk. Called Bitcoin.com Checkout, the app is self-custodial and automatically converts incoming crypto into stablecoins — all with zero merchant fees.
How the app works
Bitcoin.com Checkout is a mobile-based point-of-sale system. Merchants generate a QR code at checkout; customers pay in their preferred crypto. The app then instantly swaps the payment into a stablecoin — likely USDT or USDC, though Bitcoin.com hasn't specified which — and holds it in a wallet the merchant controls. The merchant never sees the volatile price swings of Bitcoin or altcoins. They get stable value from the moment the transaction clears.
Because it's self-custodial, the merchant holds the private keys. Bitcoin.com doesn't take custody of funds at any point. That means the merchant shoulders the security responsibility, but also retains full control.
Zero fees and no price risk
Two features stand out. First, the app charges no merchant processing fees. Most payment processors take 1% to 3% per transaction. Bitcoin.com is eating that cost — likely hoping to drive adoption of its brand and ecosystem. Second, the auto-settlement removes price risk. A merchant who accepts Bitcoin directly could see the value drop 10% before they convert. Here, the swap is near-instant.
The trade-off? The merchant still pays network transaction fees (miner fees on Bitcoin or gas on Ethereum). Those can spike during congestion. But the app itself doesn't add a surcharge.
Self-custody for merchants
Bitcoin.com is positioning Checkout as a way for small businesses to accept crypto without trusting a third party. The self-custodial model means the merchant isn't relying on a company like BitPay or Coinbase Commerce to hold funds. If Bitcoin.com goes down, the merchant's stablecoins are still in their own wallet.
That also means the merchant needs to secure their own keys. Bitcoin.com likely provides backup and recovery options, but the app's success will hinge on how easy it is for non-technical shop owners to manage that responsibility.
Launch details
Bitcoin.com Checkout is available now for download on iOS and Android. The company hasn't disclosed how many merchants have signed up or whether it plans to expand to additional stablecoins or blockchains. For now, it's a focused product: accept crypto, get stablecoins, pay nothing in fees.
The timing aligns with a broader push by crypto companies to make payments practical. Several competitors offer similar conversion features, but zero fees and full self-custody together are still rare. Whether enough merchants will take the leap — and manage their own keys — is the open question.
