• Lugano, Switzerland is the first city to make Bitcoin a de-facto legal tender.
• The Plan ₿ foundation recently announced a map showcasing the hundreds of merchants across the city that accept bitcoin.
• The foundation has partnered with GoCrypto to onboard multiple merchants to accept bitcoin, including McDonald’s and various art galleries.
The city of Lugano, Switzerland has become the first in the world to make Bitcoin a de-facto legal tender. The Plan ₿ foundation, a city initiative designed in collaboration with Tether, has taken to Twitter to announce a new map which showcases the hundreds of merchants across the city that accept bitcoin. Now residents and visitors alike can pay for goods and services with the cryptocurrency.
The journey to making bitcoin a de-facto legal tender began in March 2022 when the Plan ₿ foundation announced its plans. This was followed by the announcement of the Plan ₿ Summer School, an educational opportunity for those looking to learn more about bitcoin and businesses, which took place in July 2022. The school featured expert speakers including the likes of Blockstream CEO Adam Back.
The foundation’s most recent development is its partnership with GoCrypto to onboard multiple merchants to accept bitcoin. These merchants include McDonald’s and various art galleries. At the time of the announcement, the foundation predicted it would serve over 2,500 customers using bitcoin by the end of the year.
According to the Plan ₿ Twitter account, visitors and residents alike can now “pay with Bitcoin for food, drinks, art, fashion, jewelry, cars, watches, tattoos, real-estate, municipal taxes, and services and so much more…” As the bitcoin ecosystem grows, various jurisdictions will continue to vie for the business of Bitcoiners and Bitcoin companies. The example of Lugano showcases how a city can make itself a destination for Bitcoiners, offering a variety of services, merchants, and educational opportunities.
The Plan ₿ foundation is continuing to work to ensure that Lugano remains a bitcoin-friendly destination. With the recent announcement of its map, it has become even easier for visitors to find merchants that accept bitcoin. The foundation is also working to ensure that residents and visitors alike are able to take full advantage of all that the city has to offer. As the bitcoin ecosystem continues to grow, Lugano will continue to be a shining example of a city that is embracing the cryptocurrency.