US Retailer Bealls Goes All-In: Accepting Over 99 Cryptos in 660 Stores

Bealls, a 110-year-old US retail powerhouse, has just dropped a bombshell on its 110th anniversary by partnering with Flexa to accept payments in over 99 cryptocurrencies across all 660 of its stores spanning 22 states. This isn’t just a small pilot or a PR stunt—it’s one of the most ambitious in-store crypto payment rollouts to date, signaling a potential turning point for digital currencies in mainstream retail.

• Historic Move: Bealls now accepts over 99 cryptocurrencies via Flexa at 660 stores.
• Future-Focused: Positions Bealls as a commerce innovator celebrating 110 years.
• Industry Shift: Joins Shopify and Opendoor in pushing crypto payment adoption.

A Century-Old Retailer Bets on Crypto

For those unfamiliar, Bealls isn’t some trendy startup chasing the latest fad. Founded in 1915, this Florida-based retailer has built a legacy serving families with affordable clothing and home goods across the southeastern and southwestern US. With 660 stores in 22 states, they cater to a broad, often traditional demographic. So, when a company with this kind of history decides to accept everything from Bitcoin to obscure memecoins, it’s not just news—it’s a statement.

The partnership with Flexa, a digital asset payment platform, makes this leap possible. Flexa acts as a bridge between the chaotic world of crypto and the structured needs of retail point-of-sale systems. Their tech supports transactions from over 300 digital wallets, covering a staggering range of cryptocurrencies—think Bitcoin, the gold standard of decentralized money; stablecoins like USDC, which are pegged to the US dollar for price stability; and even memecoins, those viral, speculative tokens often born from internet jokes like Dogecoin. For the uninitiated, stablecoins aim to avoid the wild price swings that plague most cryptos, making them more practical for everyday purchases, while memecoins are essentially digital lottery tickets fueled by hype and memes. Bealls’ willingness to accept them all shows they’re casting a wide net to capture every crypto enthusiast, from the Bitcoin maximalist to the TikTok speculator. Learn more about this groundbreaking move by Bealls accepting over 99 cryptocurrencies across their extensive network of stores.

Matt Beall, Chairman & CEO of Bealls, framed this as more than a transactional gimmick.

“Our partnership with Flexa is about more than payments; it’s about preparing for the future of commerce and continuing to innovate for the next 110 years,”

he declared. He doubled down with a bold prediction:

“They will reshape how the world transacts.”

That’s not just optimism—it’s a rallying cry from a traditional retailer betting big on a decentralized future.

How Flexa Powers This Crypto Revolution

Let’s break down why Flexa is the unsung hero here. Crypto transactions aren’t as simple as swiping a credit card. Volatility, slow confirmation times, and clunky wallet interfaces have historically made them a nightmare for merchants. Flexa streamlines this mess by integrating with existing POS systems and, in many cases, instantly converting crypto to fiat currency at the point of sale. This shields retailers like Bealls from the risk of holding volatile assets—imagine accepting Bitcoin at $60,000 only for it to crash to $50,000 by closing time. Flexa’s system often uses collateralized mechanisms to guarantee the transaction value, ensuring merchants get paid without sweating market swings. It’s not just tech—it’s a trust layer, and for a retailer with hundreds of stores, that’s a game-changer compared to older solutions like BitPay.

Trevor Filter, cofounder of Flexa, didn’t hold back on the hype either. He called crypto payments

“the most important payments technology evolution the world has ever seen.”

A bit over-the-top? Sure. But when a system like this enables a century-old retailer to accept digital currencies at scale, it’s hard to dismiss the potential. Still, let’s not kid ourselves—Flexa’s tech hasn’t been proven under the weight of 660 stores processing daily transactions long-term. If it buckles under pressure, this grand experiment could fizzle fast.

Why Bealls’ Move Matters in the Bigger Picture

Zooming out, this comes at a time when crypto is itching for real-world utility. A Carat Global Platform study reveals that 16% of Americans have already used digital currencies for purchases, with over 50% interested in online payments and 33% keen on in-store options. That’s backed by raw numbers: roughly 65 million American adults—25% of the population—own crypto as of early 2025. Yet, a stubborn roadblock persists—merchant acceptance. A quarter of US crypto users cite the lack of places to spend their digital stash as a major barrier. Bealls stepping into this void isn’t just a win for Flexa; it’s a direct challenge to other retailers to stop sitting on the sidelines.

They’re not the only ones dipping their toes in, though. Shopify, a heavyweight in e-commerce, recently enabled USDC payments through Shopify Payments, focusing on stablecoins to avoid the volatility trap that scares off merchants. Contrast that with Opendoor, a US real estate giant now accepting Bitcoin for home purchases, proving crypto can handle even multi-million-dollar deals. Bealls, however, stands out with its sheer scale of in-store integration—660 physical locations dwarf Shopify’s online focus or Opendoor’s niche high-ticket transactions. Together, these moves paint a picture of growing mainstream momentum, fueled by consumer demand and tech like Flexa that makes crypto less of a headache.

Consumer Implications: Who’s Actually Paying with Crypto?

Picture this: a middle-aged shopper at Bealls, used to cash or credit, watching a teenager pay for sneakers with Dogecoin. The cashier blinks in confusion, and the kid smirks, “Welcome to the future.” It’s funny, but it raises a real question—will Bealls’ typical customer base embrace this? While exact demographics vary, Bealls often serves families and older shoppers in suburban and rural areas, not exactly the crypto-native Gen Z crowd. This move might be aimed at attracting younger, tech-savvy spenders or positioning the brand as forward-thinking. But with 25% of Americans holding crypto, including a surprising number of over-40s jumping in, there’s a decent chance even traditional shoppers have some Bitcoin or Ethereum stashed in a wallet. The bigger hurdle might be education—figuring out how to pay with a QR code from a digital wallet isn’t intuitive for everyone.

Economic Upside and Hidden Risks

From a business angle, Bealls could see real benefits. Credit card fees often eat 2-3% of every transaction, a cost that crypto payments can slash by cutting out middlemen like Visa or Mastercard. That’s a juicy incentive for a retailer with hundreds of stores. But it’s not all savings and sunshine. Holding or converting volatile cryptos carries risk, even with Flexa’s protections. A sudden market crash could still sting if conversion isn’t instantaneous. Plus, every crypto transaction might be a taxable event under IRS rules, creating a bookkeeping nightmare for both Bealls and customers. We’re rooting for disruption of the old financial guard, but let’s not pretend this is a flawless pivot.

Challenges on the Horizon: Volatility, Scalability, and Red Tape

Hold the victory lap—there are plenty of reasons to stay skeptical. First, volatility. While stablecoins like USDC offer predictability, assets like Bitcoin or memecoins can swing 10% in a day. Bealls accepting the latter might grab headlines, but let’s be blunt: paying with a memecoin pumped by a celebrity tweet is a gamble, not a payment strategy. Their inclusion doesn’t make them legit, and hyping them as “the future” is the kind of nonsense we have zero tolerance for. Merchants and shoppers need reliability, not a slot machine.

Then there’s scalability. Blockchain networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum are like highways—too many transactions at once create traffic jams, spiking fees and delays. Can they handle the volume of a retailer with 660 stores during a holiday rush? Flexa’s tech might ease the strain, but if the underlying chains choke, customers could be left waiting at checkout. It’s a tech hurdle that’s yet to be fully solved.

Worst of all is the regulatory mess. Governments worldwide, including the US, are dragging their feet with half-baked rules that could derail this progress faster than a Bitcoin flash crash. The SEC has been scrutinizing stablecoins like Tether over whether their reserves actually back their value—imagine Bealls accepting USDC only for it to be deemed non-compliant overnight. Meanwhile, the IRS might treat every crypto purchase as a taxable sale, piling on complexity. These aren’t hypotheticals; they’re active battles in the crypto space that could slap Bealls with unforeseen costs or legal headaches.

Playing Devil’s Advocate: Revolution or Marketing Gimmick?

Let’s flip the script for a moment. Is this really the “future of commerce” Matt Beall envisions, or just a flashy anniversary stunt? History gives us pause—back in 2017, after Bitcoin’s first major hype wave, dozens of merchants signed up to accept it, only to quietly drop support when fees skyrocketed and customers didn’t show up. Bealls’ scale is impressive, but if crypto payments are a tiny fraction of transactions, or if Flexa’s system falters, this could be another forgotten headline. We champion effective accelerationism—pushing decentralized tech into the mainstream whether the old guard likes it or not—but blind optimism is a trap. Bealls’ success isn’t guaranteed; it’s a high-stakes test.

Bitcoin’s Role vs. Stablecoins and Altcoins

As Bitcoin maximalists at heart, we see it as the ultimate decentralized store of value, a middle finger to centralized banking. But let’s be real—its price swings and slow transaction speeds make it less ideal for buying socks at Bealls compared to a stablecoin like USDC. Stablecoins might lack the ideological punch of Bitcoin, but they’re the practical workhorses for retail. Altcoins and memecoins? They fill niche cultural roles and speculative fervor, but their volatility makes them a sideshow. Bealls accepting all of them shows an understanding that Bitcoin can’t (and maybe shouldn’t) dominate every use case in this financial revolution. Different tools for different jobs—that’s the beauty of this space.

Key Takeaways and Questions for Crypto Retail Adoption

• What does Bealls’ acceptance of crypto payments signal for mainstream retail?
  It’s a powerful indicator that digital currencies are breaking into everyday commerce, likely pressuring other retailers to explore similar integrations to avoid being left behind.
• Why is Flexa’s technology critical for retailers like Bealls?
  Flexa simplifies crypto transactions by supporting over 99 currencies and 300 wallets, acting as a seamless bridge that protects merchants from volatility with near-instant conversions.
• What are the biggest barriers to widespread crypto payment adoption in the US?
  Limited merchant acceptance, price volatility, network scalability issues, and unclear regulations continue to hinder progress, despite strong consumer interest with 25% of Americans owning crypto.
• Are stablecoins the future of retail payments compared to volatile cryptos like memecoins?
  Almost certainly—stablecoins like USDC provide the price stability merchants and consumers need, while memecoins remain speculative toys unfit for reliable transactions.
• How does 25% of Americans owning crypto affect the broader financial system?
  It’s a seismic shift, challenging traditional banks to adapt to decentralized finance and forcing regulators to craft frameworks that balance innovation with consumer protection.
• Is Bealls’ move a genuine revolution or just hype?
  It has revolutionary potential to accelerate crypto adoption, but past failures of merchant integrations remind us that execution and customer uptake will determine if it’s more than a flashy headline.

What’s Next for Crypto in Retail?

Bealls’ dive into crypto payments is more than a milestone for one retailer—it’s a litmus test for the entire industry. With 65 million Americans holding digital currencies, the demand for real-world spending options is undeniable. This move embodies the spirit of disruption and decentralization we stand for, potentially accelerating the collapse of outdated financial gatekeepers. But the road ahead is littered with pitfalls—tech glitches, regulatory crackdowns, and lukewarm customer response could turn this bold bet into a costly misstep. Is Bealls the spark retail needs to go full crypto, or just another blip in a sea of overhyped promises? Only the numbers—and the regulators—will tell.