Thu, 11 Dec 2025

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 The Swiss city that lets you pay for most things with bitcoin

Shops, restaurants and even the local council in Lugano now accept the cryptocurrency.

* The city of Lugano in Switzerland has launched a project called Plan B, which aims to make it a hub for bitcoin and cryptocurrency adoption.
* Over 350 shops and restaurants in Lugano now accept bitcoin as payment, including McDonald's and luxury retailers.
* The local government is distributing free machines that allow businesses to accept crypto currency payments.
* Customers can pay with contactless transactions from their mobile phone wallets.
* Mayor Michele Foletti says he is not concerned about the potential for mafia money laundering through bitcoin.
* While some people are skeptical of cryptocurrencies, others see them as a way to bypass traditional financial systems and fees associated with credit cards.
* The city's Plan B initiative aims to educate people about cryptocurrency and encourage its use in daily transactions.
* However, there have been concerns about the volatility of bitcoin and its potential risks for businesses that accept it.
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