This guide compares the leading approaches to help merchants select the best cryptocurrency payment solution in 2026. Today, businesses face a crowded landscape filled with options ranging from traditional exchanges to self-custodial wallets and dedicated payment gateways. This guide delivers a comparative analysis of centralized exchanges (CEXs), decentralized finance (DeFi) wallets, and hybrid payment platforms like WestWallet to help merchants choose the optimal solution. Key Capabilities of Merchant Payment Infrastructure:Automated Payment Gateways: Instant creation of unique deposit addresses or QR codes for every transaction. For Web3 Ecosystem Engagement: Maintain isolated self-custodial DeFi wallets specifically for interacting with smart contracts, DAOs, or decentralized applications.