BTCPay Server has just rolled out its most significant update since 2017—BTCPay Server 2.0. With a fresh array of features, bug fixes, and essential backend updates, this release promises an improved foundation for users, developers, and merchants alike.
Let’s dive into the new features and what they mean for the community and merchants.
Key Features & Updates
BTCPay Server 2.0 is packed with changes aimed at improving functionality and user experience. While the full potential of these updates may take a few months to become fully apparent as users and developers get more hands-on, early feedback and beta testing suggest a powerful shift.
- New Interface Localization: For the first time, BTCPay offers a fully localized interface, extending beyond customer-facing aspects to the entire back office. Users can translate the entire interface in a straightforward way, streamlining BTCPay setup in diverse languages.
- Unified Sidebar Navigation: A cleaner, more streamlined sidebar navigation is now live. Moving all navigation elements to a unified sidebar promotes consistency and ease of use across various screens. While adjusting to the new layout might take some users time, early testers have already noted an increase in efficiency once familiar with the new layout.
- Enhanced Onboarding for New Users and POS Integration: An improved onboarding experience simplifies the setup process for new users, with added personalization features like profile photos and nicknames for enhanced usability. For ambassadors and merchants, onboarding via QR code scanning simplifies device setup, ensuring that new users are up and running quickly on the POS app.
- Checkout v2 Becomes Default: The legacy checkout page is officially retired in 2.0, replaced by the streamlined Checkout v2, which offers more functionality and a user-friendly experience that includes NFC compatibility and enhanced branding options.
- Backend Branding Customization: BTCPay has increased its customization capabilities. Users can now apply custom branding across all public-facing pages as well as the back office, allowing for a more cohesive look and feel for merchants and businesses.
- Three New E-commerce Integrations: In an effort to keep pace with evolving needs, BTCPay has introduced integrations with Wix, Odoo, and BigCommerce, allowing these popular platforms to accept Bitcoin payments. This provides merchants a seamless way to offer Bitcoin as a payment option without requiring extensive technical work. For businesses, this means a more flexible way to adopt Bitcoin payments into their systems.
BTCPAY 2.0 IS OUT!!! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/2ASKeDC76r
— BTCPay Server (@BtcpayServer) October 30, 2024
API Changes
While BTCPay 2.0 comes with notable advancements, it also introduces several breaking changes in its API. To ensure BTCPay remains stable and adaptable, the team has restructured areas of the API, eliminating “technical debt”—a backlog of unresolved issues that can slow down future development. As a result, custom integrations or plugins relying on legacy API structures will need updates to remain compatible.
For most users, these updates will likely be smooth. However, those relying heavily on custom integrations are encouraged to verify compatibility and review the breaking changes documentation. The transition to 2.0 may involve a brief period of database migration, especially for users with larger databases. During this transition, newer data will appear first, while older invoices may take a few minutes to fully update.
Interface Localization
The new full interface localization makes translating BTCPay into any language more straightforward than ever. By consolidating all translation strings into a single editable text box, it’s easier to utilize AI tools for translations and streamline the process for global users. The BTCPay community is also encouraged to report any missing strings, and further refinements are expected in future updates.
Improved Onboarding Flow and QR Integration
In a move aimed at building local communities, BTCPay 2.0 enhances the onboarding flow, allowing faster setup for new users with a QR code or link. Users can now personalize their experience with profile photos and nicknames, adding a layer of familiarity that will soon tie into the BTCPay App.
For merchants setting up a POS, a QR-based onboarding simplifies device setup, allowing for smooth, quick access to BTCPay services. This update has been informed by BTCPay’s own testing in real-world scenarios in cities like Riga and Nashville, providing valuable feedback to streamline onboarding and make it more efficient.
E-commerce Integrations Expanding Bitcoin’s Reach
BTCPay has always prioritized seamless integration with popular platforms, and version 2.0 takes this further by adding support for three major e-commerce systems:
- Wix: As one of the largest website-building platforms globally, Wix’s integration with BTCPay enables Bitcoin payments for e-commerce sites, tapping into its vast user base.
- Odoo: This open-source business management suite covers everything from inventory to point of sale. The new BTCPay plugin supports Bitcoin payments across various Odoo modules, making it adaptable for diverse businesses.
- BigCommerce: Known for its scalability, BigCommerce integration allows enterprise-level merchants to accept Bitcoin payments with minimal setup.
BTCPay Server 2.0 Plugin Updates
Plugins are a significant part of BTCPay’s ecosystem. While most plugins are compatible with 2.0, a few still need updates, and some may be disabled post-upgrade to prevent compatibility issues. The BTCPay team has encouraged plugin developers to update their modules for version 2.0 and provided examples for guidance. For those using the Shopify plugin, compatibility with BTCPay remains stable, with no immediate need for changes despite upcoming Shopify API updates.
What’s Next for BTCPay?
As BTCPay Server 2.0 sets the groundwork for future developments, the team is already looking ahead. Some of the most requested features from the community will be part of upcoming updates, expanding the possibilities of what BTCPay can offer merchants, developers, and the wider Bitcoin community.