Crypto payments coming to Whole Foods, Starbucks and other big retailers

It looks like mainstream retailers are finally jumping on board the crypto payments band wagon, following recent news that several retailers will be implementing digital asset payment solutions in conjunction with normal payment methods through a new Gemini and Flexa partnershi

Fortune reports that several retailers will be making use of the latest partnership by digital asset platform Gemini and cryptocurrency payments startup Flexa. The partnership will see Flexa's application called Spedn will allow everyday shoppers to make use of the app to spend Bitcoin at some of the biggest stores in the United States.

The partnership between Gemini and Flexa will see Spedn, which operates much like normal scan-to-pay solutions on cell phone, utilize the back end of Gemini's technology to allow customers to spend their cryptocurrencies in store.

The news could usher in the future of retail payments for cryptocurrencies, with the partnership allowing customers to spend Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum as well as Gemini's stable coin Gemini Dollar.

So far the list of stores includes rate and Barrel, Nordstrom, and Amazon-owned Whole Foods, with Regal Cinemas, Gamestop and Baskin Robbins also on board. Starbucks has also been touted as a retailer that will be joining, although this is yet to be confirmed. However, the Winklevoss twins were recently seen in Starbucks testing out the functionality at Starbucks.