The Bitcoin payment ecosystem is accelerating its expansion. According to tracking data from BTC Map, from early 2025 to early 2026, the number of merchants accepting Bitcoin worldwide has seen a significant surge—from approximately 12,000 to nearly 20,000, an increase of about 50%.

Behind this figure is tangible ecosystem development. Among registered merchants, verified merchants number 11,200, with 851 of them being trading platforms. This indicates that not only small merchants are embracing Bitcoin payments, but even mainstream exchanges are increasing their involvement in this sector.

From a macro perspective, the growing willingness of merchants to accept Bitcoin signifies that real-world application scenarios are gradually materializing. Payment is just the starting point; it reflects an increasing market recognition of cryptocurrencies as a means of circulation. For holders, this also means more use cases for their Bitcoin holdings and improved liquidity.