Bitcoin point-of-sale payments have just reached a milestone. Numo Pay AppA new open-source Android application now allows merchants to accept sats with a simple tap, without a dedicated terminal, without platform fees, without compromising sovereignty.
A recurring problem, finally solved
Despite years of development around the Lightning Network, Bitcoin payments in stores remain a hurdle for merchants. Between scanning QR codes, manually entering amounts, and confirmation delays, the user experience has long struggled to compete with the seamlessness of card payments or Apple Pay.
That's exactly what he's addressing Number (available on numopay.orgThe application transforms any NFC-enabled Android smartphone into a Bitcoin payment terminal.
From the customer's perspective, it's as simple as holding their phone close, just like for a standard contactless payment. The transaction is completed in seconds.
“Bitcoin payments should be as easy as tapping your phone. Numo makes that a reality today, on any NFC-enabled Android device. » The Numo team
How does it work in practice?
Numo relies on Cashu, the open-source e-cash protocol built on Bitcoin. The principle is elegant: the merchant's phone emulates an NFC chip.
When the customer brings their compatible Cashu wallet close, it reads the NFC tag and sends a payment token. The entire interaction takes place in seconds, without a QR code or any amount entry on the customer's end.
For those who don't yet have a Cashu wallet, don't panic: Numo also supports classic Lightning payments, making it compatible with many Lightning wallets existing on the market. You can, for example, use the wallet Phoenix or, Wallet of Satoshi through Strike, Alby, Muun or Zeus.
Zero fees, self-custody, open-source
This is perhaps where Numo most clearly distinguishes itself from traditional payment solutions. Where Stripe or Square They charge 2,9% + 30 cents per transaction, Numo takes absolutely nothingYes, nothing.
The only fees are those of the Bitcoin network, usually less than one euro cent.
Regarding the safekeeping of funds, payments are initially received as ecash on a Cashu mint. The merchant can set an automatic threshold: as soon as their balance exceeds the configured amount, the funds are automatically transferred to their personal Lightning address, without manual intervention. Sovereignty is preserved without operational constraints.
The application is also entirely open-source under MIT license, developed with the support ofOpenCashNo vendor lock-in, no subscription, no dependency on proprietary infrastructure.
A solution designed for real retailers
Beyond payment, Numo integrates practical features for daily management:
- Inventory management : create categories of items and sizes, then type to initiate a payment request with the predefined amount.
- Payment History and export of sales reports.
- Tip support directly within the interface.
- Offline payments Thanks to Cashu, transactions synchronize as soon as the connection is restored. A valuable advantage during events or in areas with weak signal.
- Integration BTCPayServer Currently under development, this gateway will further enhance Numo's appeal to merchants already equipped with a self-hosted Bitcoin infrastructure.
What is the current status of the adoption?
The application is available now for direct download via the official GitHub repositoryA release on the Google Play Store is planned soon, which should facilitate onboarding for less technically inclined merchants.
Among the wallets compatible with Cashu tap-to-pay, eNuts is already available. Sovran, MacadamiaCashu.me, Minibits and Phoenix. And for classic Lightning payments, the list is practically exhaustive: any Lightning wallet works natively.
What Numo represents for Bitcoin adoption
In a context where the Lightning Network now processes more than one billion dollars in monthly transactions and where Bitcoin payments in commerce have increased by 74% in 2025 according to the latest data, Numo arrives at the right time.
It fills a missing link: a physical payment experience that rivals traditional contactless, while remaining true to Bitcoin's founding principles: decentralization, individual sovereignty, and the absence of intermediaries.
For merchants who wish to accept Bitcoin without incurring the exorbitant fees of traditional payment processors, and without sacrificing a seamless customer experience, Numo is probably the most advanced solution available today..
- Read the article: » Cashu: the Chaumian cash resurrected for Bitcoin and why it changes everything«
Download available on numopay.org | Source code on GitHub
