Lugano Embraces Cryptocurrency in Municipal Services

Key Points:* Lugano enables Bitcoin payments for municipal services.

• 350 merchants adopt cryptocurrency payments.
• Lugano aims to be a crypto innovation hub. Lugano’s “Plan ₿” allows residents to use Bitcoin and Tether for municipal payments, enhancing crypto adoption in Switzerland.

The initiative fosters a crypto-friendly environment, drawing significant interest from businesses and startups, furthering Lugano’s goal to become a financial innovation hub.

Lugano Embraces Bitcoin for Taxes and Municipal Services

Over 350 merchants in Lugano have adopted cryptocurrency payments, fostering a broader decentralized economy in the region. The city provides merchants with point-of-sale terminals free of charge, incentivizing adoption and making it affordable for local businesses.

Michael Foletti, Mayor of Lugano, emphasized the city’s goal as a technological hub. “Our goal is to make Lugano a hub for technological and financial innovation. The Forum’s success confirms that we’re on the right path,” he remarked. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino added, “Technologies can improve society if applied with courage.”

Experts from Coincu suggest that Lugano’s move may spur wider regulatory discussions, especially in Europe, as governments grapple with decentralized finance adoption. The project could serve as a model for integrating blockchain with public services, fostering further technological advancements.

Crypto Integration Spurs Regulatory and Technological Discussions

Did you know? Lugano’s “Plan ₿” Forum 2025 doubled its attendance since inception, reflecting the growing global interest in municipal cryptocurrency integration and innovation.

Bitcoin (BTC) currently trades at $87,507.82, experiencing a 1.41% drop in the past 24 hours, as reported by CoinMarketCap. With a market cap of $1.75 trillion, Bitcoin maintains its dominance at 59.08%. The currency’s value decline over the past 60 days is noted at 23.55%.

Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 10:17 UTC on December 27, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap Experts from Coincu suggest that Lugano’s move may spur wider regulatory discussions, especially in Europe, as governments grapple with decentralized finance adoption. The project could serve as a model for integrating blockchain with public services, fostering further technological advancements.