In December 2024, the Zona Sul supermarket chain implemented Transfero Checkout, a payment system that accepts cryptocurrencies. The first unit to use the solution is located at Rua Barão da Torre, 220, in Ipanema.
Users can choose to make their purchases using bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), among other digital assets, such as stablecoins. And the process is simple: customers select the cryptocurrency they want to use, their preferred blockchain network, and finally, scan the QR Code with their smartphone camera to complete the transaction.
All transactions are automatically converted to BRL (Brazilian Real). Information regarding the transaction, such as the amount of crypto and network fees, is displayed on the screen before payment completion.
Why did Zona Sul choose to accept cryptocurrencies?
Photo: Zona Sul
According to Zona Sul’s Head of Digital, Vitor Hugo Monteiro, the brand’s proposal is to stay aligned with digital trends being adopted in highly technological countries accustomed to conducting online transactions.
“We are a company with a very strong innovative streak and we like to try new things. Another point we started to observe is the agility it brings to our foreign customers. The stores are strategically located in places with many tourists. We know that every tourist who comes to Brazil needs to exchange their currency for the Real, which can be tiring,” he says.
As published by Diário do Rio, Ipanema is the second most sought-after neighborhood by tourists, recording an 88% occupancy rate in accommodations, especially during peak seasons like Carnival and New Year’s Eve.
The training of Zona Sul’s teams, according to Vitor Hugo, was a determining factor for the success of the crypto implementation. Members of Transfero and the supermarket chain joined forces to create a user-friendly methodology for those who have no idea what cryptocurrencies are and how they work.
“When we talk about cryptocurrencies to people, many are a little startled, as it is a completely new universe for many,” he commented. Employees quickly adapted to the new reality, allowing cryptocurrency transactions to be carried out smoothly.
An Adaptation Process
Currently, only the Rua Barão da Torre unit accepts cryptocurrency payments. However, Vitor Hugo clarified that Transfero Checkout should soon be implemented in other units of the supermarket chain (the chain has 45 active stores in Rio de Janeiro).
Additionally, Zona Sul’s points of sale (POS) will receive updates to be integrated with the crypto payment solution, which will make the process even more intuitive for cashiers. “The pilot project was very successful, which means that the trend is for things to go smoothly,” he added.
According to the executive, cryptocurrencies are here to stay, and businesses must adapt accordingly. “Argentina sought cryptocurrencies to have more stability and freedom regarding money. Why should we force users to use only one type of asset?” he asked.
Currently, there are two Brazilian supermarket chains that accept cryptocurrencies as a form of payment: Zona Sul and Shibata. With the accelerated growth of the financial universe linked to Web 3.0, however, the trend is for other players to seek similar solutions. The Pague Menos pharmacy chain, for example, has already selected some stores to study the degree of crypto adoption by users.
