U.S. chain of convenience stores Sheetz, has become the latest company to adopt cryptocurrency, as the firm is planning to include bitcoin and other crypto-assets among its payment options.
According to a press release on Thursday (May 27, 2021), Sheetz will become the first convenience store retailer to accept bitcoin as a payment method. The family-owned business founded in 1952 operates over 600 stores in different locations in the U.S.
The latest development will see a partnership deal between Sheetz and Flexa, a digital payments network that enables crypto payments at physical stores. Flexa converts crypto to U.S. dollars for the receiving merchant in real-time, making it easier for retail stores to accept cryptocurrency.
Sheetz will allow customers to pay with bitcoin, ether, litecoin, and dogecoin at select Cafe stores in summer 2021, with plans to accept crypto payment at fuel pumps later on the year. The convenience store chain will leverage its partnership with NCR to use the point-of-sale (POS) technology in order to ensure seamless crypto payments through Flexa.
In addition to paying with BTC and crypto, Sheetz customers can also choose to link their My Sheetz Rewardz loyalty account when making payments with Flexa-enabled apps.
Commenting on the latest development, Sheetz’s Payments Manager Linda Smith, said:
“As a result, we are constantly innovating and exploring new offerings to truly give our customers what they want, when they want it, 24/7/365 — that includes accepting many forms of payment. We’re very excited to be working with Flexa to roll out support for cryptocurrencies and other types of digital assets at our stores.”
Also making a statement was Flexa’s co-founder Trevor Filter, who said:
“We’re absolutely elated that Flexa can help them become the first convenience and retail chain to accept digital currencies directly at the pump.”
Sheetz joins the list of companies adding to the bitcon payment option for their customers. As previously reported by CryptoPotato earlier in May, Laudry’s revealed that most of the chain brands under the company would soon start accepting BTC payments.
Other companies enabling payment in bitcoin and other crypto-assets include WeWork, Acker, Merrall & Condit, Luzboa, among others.
Meanwhile, major electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla which supported bitcoin payment back in March, announced that it was suspending the BTC option on its platform, due to environmental concerns.