Lugano: The Swiss City Where Bitcoin is King

Thu Dec 11 2025 20:53:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Lugano, Switzerland, is making waves by becoming a hub for cryptocurrency, allowing residents and visitors to transact with Bitcoin across various shops and municipal services.

In a groundbreaking move, the Swiss city of Lugano has embraced Bitcoin as a form of payment in over 350 local shops and municipal services. This allows residents and tourists to pay for everything from meals to municipal services like childcare using cryptocurrency. Local business owners, like Cherubino Fry, are recognizing the benefits of accepting Bitcoin due to lower transaction fees compared to traditional credit routes. Despite some skepticism among residents regarding cryptocurrencies, the initiative is aimed at making Lugano a central hub for the growth of Bitcoin in Europe.

Lugano, an enchanting Swiss city, is swiftly becoming the go-to haven for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, as the city council has enabled over 350 establishments to accept Bitcoin as a payment method. This innovative approach aligns with the city's efforts to establish itself as a European hub for cryptocurrency.

A recent experience at a local McDonald's epitomizes this shift, where payments can now be made directly using Bitcoin through contactless methods. The payment terminals, distributed for free by the city council, allow customers to effortlessly make purchases using their Bitcoin wallets.

While Bitcoin has often been viewed as an investment asset, Lugano’s embrace of it for everyday transactions is reshaping perceptions and practices. By accepting Bitcoin, shops and restaurants are skipping the high transaction fees typically associated with credit cards, which can be as high as 3.4% on certain transactions.

The initiative, branded as 'Plan B', is part of a wider scheme to educate residents and businesses about cryptocurrencies and aims to create a sustainable circular economy where citizens can earn, spend, and pay for services using Bitcoin. Local business owners have expressed cautious optimism, with some like Cherubino Fry admitting that while Bitcoin transactions are currently sporadic, they are hopeful for a significant increase in usage in the coming years.

However, some locals remain skeptical. The acceptance of cryptocurrency isn't without risks, including volatility and legal concerns. Critics argue that Bitcoin may attract illicit activities, but Lugano's Mayor Michele Foletti believes the opposite holds true, asserting that traditional fiat currencies remain the preference for unlawful transactions.

As Lugano continues to integrate Bitcoin into its economic ecosystem, it stands at the forefront of a potential cryptocurrency revolution, with ambitions to become a leading city in the crypto space.