Getting a business to accept Bitcoin is, for many bitcoiners, a bit like unlocking a rare achievement in your Pokédex.

Every merchant is different, and onboarding them comes with its own set of challenges:

Onboarding local businesses is one of the best ways to grow your city's Bitcoin ecosystem. The key is to proceed step by step:

1/ Ask to pay in Bitcoin, every time you shop Most of the time you'll get a "no" and maybe a puzzled, or even slightly judgmental, look, but just asking plants the idea that Bitcoin is something "ordinary people" can use and that it's becoming more popular as a way to pay. You can even team up with a couple of friends and stop by the same shop on different days, each time asking to pay in Bitcoin. Sooner or later, it'll spark the owner's curiosity.

2/ Offer a simple, clear explanation If they ask what Bitcoin is, keep it short and jargon-free. For example: "Bitcoin is money that isn't controlled by banks, works without intermediaries, can't be censored, isn't subject to inflation, and has lower fees than traditional banking." Then hand them a flyer, like "21 Reasons to Use Bitcoin" or "10 Reasons to Accept Bitcoin in Your Business", with your contact info or your meet-up details. This way, when they're ready for a demo, they know where to find you.

3/ Arrange a demonstration When they express interest, set up a time to show them a payment solution. A great option is Swiss Bitcoin Pay, because it: - Enables merchant to automatically converts BTC to fiat daily, so they can pay suppliers. - Allows them to keep a percentage in BTC if they wish. - Generates exportable accounting reports for their accountants. - Has a simple dashboard for managers. - Gives employees an intuitive interface to accept payments without touching the till. - Costs less than the 2-3% fees charged by traditional payment networks.

4/ Support them once they start accepting Bitcoin After they're on board: - Visit regularly and make purchases. - Check in to see if everything's running smoothly. - Re-share your contact info if needed. - Invite them to your meet-ups. - Add them to btcmap.org map and let Swiss Bitcoin Pay know on Twitter to boost visibility. - Consider hosting workshops or meet-ups at their location.

5/ Connect local merchants Once you have a few Bitcoin-friendly businesses, suggest creating a merchants-only Telegram group. This can:

Canvassing is a long-term play. It requires patience, persistence, and strategy. But if your community is ready, you could start laying the foundation for a true Bitcoin circular economy, just like Arnhem in the Netherlands in the Netherlands.