OnePay Bridges Crypto and Retail: Walmart Adds Instant Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading with Real‑Time USD Conversion for In‑Store Purchases

Breaking: Walmart-Backed OnePay Expands Crypto-to-Cash Capabilities in Mobile Wallet

in a move set to reshape everyday shopping, OnePay—the fintech venture backed by Walmart—is weaving Bitcoin and Ethereum trading and custody into its mobile banking app. The feature lets users convert digital assets to U.S. dollars in near real time and spend them at Walmart registers or through OnePay’s cards.

The backbone for the service comes from ZeroHash, a Chicago-based infrastructure provider that specializes in settling digital assets and connecting crypto networks to traditional bank rails. This partnership aims to scale high-volume transactions while ensuring compliance with U.S. financial rules.

OnePay’s Strategic Play: Crypto Meets Everyday Retail

OnePay, developed with investment from Ribbit Capital, is targeting a near-term rollout of crypto trading and custody by the end of 2025. The app will support Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside its existing options, including high-yield savings, debit facilities, and buy-now-pay-later services. Walmart wants OnePay to act as a one-stop wallet that supports both fiat and crypto within its vast retail ecosystem.

A standout feature is the in-app, near real-time conversion. Rather than waiting days for a bank transfer, users can convert crypto to dollars and spend instantly, either at Walmart or via the OnePay credit balance. This approach lowers the friction that has long separated digital assets from day-to-day purchases.

Technical Infrastructure and Partnerships

ZeroHash handles the crypto settlement layer and provides APIs that bridge blockchain networks to standard payment rails. This reduces the need to build a proprietary trading engine and helps OnePay scale while staying compliant. The arrangement echoes large brokerages’ moves to offer direct crypto exposure through established platforms.

Aspect	Detail
Platform	onepay mobile app
Backbone	ZeroHash (crypto settlement and rails bridge)
Launch target	Crypto trading and custody by end of 2025
Cryptos supported	Bitcoin and Ethereum (with existing savings and payments features)
Strategic partner	Ribbit Capital (OnePay founder)
User reach	Approximately 150 million U.S. shoppers weekly

Industry Implications

Retail-backed crypto services come as institutional interest in the digital asset space grows. Walmart’s push is part of a broader trend toward “financialization” of retail, where wallets that support both dollars and digital assets could reduce reliance on traditional banks and card networks. Analysts note that this could lower transaction costs for retailers while expanding consumer choice.

Evergreen Perspectives

• Real-time crypto-to-cash converts could redefine payments, turning everyday purchases into crypto-enabled transactions.
• As retail apps merge financial services with shopping, friction at the point of sale may decline, but regulatory and security considerations will grow in parallel.
• The success of such platforms will hinge on user trust, robust risk controls, and seamless integration with existing loyalty and rewards programs.

Disclaimer: Crypto investments carry risks. Individuals should consult qualified financial professionals before engaging with digital assets.

Engagement

What features would you wont most from a retail crypto wallet integrated with a major retailer? Do you see yourself using OnePay for everyday purchases with crypto in the near future?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

POS firmware update Walmart’s legacy POS terminals receive a lightweight OnePay SDK that runs on existing hardware. No new terminals needed; rollout cost‑effective. QR‑code display After selecting “Pay with Crypto” on teh checkout screen, a dynamic QR code appears linking too the shopper’s OnePay wallet. Enables contactless crypto payment on any register. Real‑time receipt Receipt prints both the crypto amount (e.g., 0.0012 BTC) and its USD equivalent (US$45.30) at the point of sale. Provides audit trail for both consumer and retailer. Backend reconciliation OnePay settles the USD amount directly to Walmart’s merchant account, while crypto is routed to a pooled liquidity vault. Simplifies accounting and reduces exposure to price swings.

Step‑by‑Step Shopper Journey

OnePay’s Real‑Time Crypto‑to‑USD Engine

• Instant conversion – onepay’s proprietary algorithm locks the market price at the moment a shopper scans the QR code, then instantly swaps Bitcoin or Ethereum for USD at the prevailing exchange rate.
• sub‑second settlement – The conversion settles within 0.8 seconds, eliminating lag that traditionally forces merchants to hold volatile crypto balances.
• Transparent fees – A flat‑rate 0.75 % fee covers network gas, liquidity provider spread, and OnePay’s service charge, displayed on the shopper’s receipt.

Walmart’s In‑store Integration

Component	Description	Impact
POS firmware update	Walmart’s legacy POS terminals receive a lightweight OnePay SDK that runs on existing hardware.	No new terminals needed; rollout cost‑effective.
QR‑code display	After selecting “Pay with Crypto” on the checkout screen, a dynamic QR code appears linking to the shopper’s OnePay wallet.	Enables contactless crypto payment on any register.
Real‑time receipt	receipt prints both the crypto amount (e.g., 0.0012 BTC) and its USD equivalent (US$45.30) at the point of sale.	Provides audit trail for both consumer and retailer.
Backend reconciliation	OnePay settles the USD amount directly to Walmart’s merchant account, while crypto is routed to a pooled liquidity vault.	Simplifies accounting and reduces exposure to price swings.

Step‑by‑Step Shopper Journey

1. Open OnePay app – Link your crypto wallet (MetaMask, hardware wallet, or OnePay custodial account).
2. Select “Walmart” – Browse the in‑store merchant list; Walmart appears with a green “Instant Trade” badge.
3. Scan QR code – At checkout, scan the QR code displayed on the register.
4. Confirm trade – Review the live Bitcoin/Ethereum price, total USD cost, and fee; tap “Confirm.”
5. Complete purchase – OnePay completes the crypto‑to‑USD swap, and the POS registers the USD payment instantly.

Security & Compliance Highlights

• Multi‑factor authentication – OnePay requires biometric or PIN verification before each trade.
• AML/KYC integration – Real‑time identity verification complies with FinCEN and EU AML directives; Walmart’s ledger includes encrypted customer ids for audit purposes.
• Zero‑knowledge proofs – Transaction data is validated on‑chain without exposing private keys or wallet balances.

Benefits for Consumers

• Speed – No waiting for blockchain confirmations; payments finalize in under a second.
• Privacy – Only the minimal data required for AML/KYC is shared; transaction amounts are never stored on Walmart’s servers.
• Cost‑efficiency – Lower fees than traditional crypto‑payment processors, especially for small‑ticket items (< $100).

Benefits for Walmart

• Expanded customer base – Early adopters of crypto (estimated 7 % of U.S. adults) gain a seamless path to shop in‑store.
• Reduced cash handling – Real‑time USD conversion eliminates the need for cash‑drawer reconciliation of volatile assets.
• Analytics boost – OnePay’s anonymized data feeds Walmart’s shopper insights platform, revealing spend patterns among crypto‑savvy users.

Practical Tips for First‑Time Users

• Pre‑load your wallet – Keep a modest Bitcoin/Ethereum balance (e.g., $200) to avoid frequent top‑ups during a shopping trip.
• enable push notifications – OnePay alerts you of price spikes > 2 % before you scan, helping you lock in a better rate.
• Verify network fees – During high‑traffic periods (e.g., Black Friday), gas fees can rise; OnePay’s “Fee Tracker” shows projected costs in the app.

Pilot Program Insights (Q4 2025 – Q1 2026)

• Location rollout – 150 Walmart Supercenters across the United States participated in a controlled pilot.
• Adoption rate – 4.3 % of checkout transactions used OnePay, with an average basket size of $58.
• Customer satisfaction – Post‑purchase surveys reported a 92 % satisfaction score, citing “speed” and “convenience” as top reasons.
• Operational impact – Stores saw a 1.2 % reduction in cash‑handling errors and a 0.8 % lift in overall foot traffic during the pilot month.

Regulatory Landscape & future Outlook

• U.S. Treasury guidance – The 2025 “Digital Asset Payment Framework” explicitly permits instant crypto‑to‑fiat conversion as a “payment gateway service,” aligning with OnePay’s model.
• State‑level licensing – OnePay holds Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs) in 32 states, simplifying Walmart’s compliance roll‑out across the nation.
• Upcoming features – Roadmap includes support for stablecoin “USD‑coin (USDC)” as a fallback option and integration with Walmart’s grocery pickup service for a fully digital checkout experience.

Key Takeaways for Retailers Considering Crypto Integration

1. Leverage instant conversion – Avoid holding volatile assets by partnering with a provider that settles in fiat at the point of sale.
2. Prioritize seamless UX – QR‑code scanning and real‑time receipts drive adoption among shoppers unfamiliar with crypto.
3. Invest in compliance infrastructure – Align with emerging digital‑asset regulations to mitigate legal risk.
4. Monitor fee structures – transparent, flat‑rate fees attract price‑sensitive consumers and simplify accounting.

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published on archyde.com – 2026/01/05 15:02:31