Avolta AG announced on September 9 2026 the launch of a pilot program that enables customers to make stablecoin payments directly from their digital wallets at its Level 2 Duty Free store located in Zurich Airport.
The pilot runs until September 25 and uses a QR‑code based process; funds are transferred between the customer’s wallet and Avolta’s wallet in seconds via blockchain, eliminating the need for card networks or intermediary payment providers.
Yves Gerster, chief financial officer of Avolta, said the initiative tests a fundamentally different payment model where value moves directly between consumer and merchant, and that the company hopes to learn from real‑world usage to assess the potential impact on retail payment infrastructure.
The solution was developed internally by Avolta in collaboration with technology partner DevelopX and forms part of the group’s broader innovation agenda aimed at enhancing the traveler experience and shaping future retail payments.
