Lugano permitted settling municipal services with bitcoins and USDT, featuring instant conversion to francs.
Crypto payments proceed via Lightning or the partner Bitcoin Suisse, with a fee around 1%.
Over 350 retail locations in the city already accept cryptocurrency, cutting business expenses and speeding up settlements.
Residents of Swiss Lugano gained the option to pay municipal services using cryptocurrencies. Taxes, fines, and utility bills are now accepted in bitcoins and USDT with automatic conversion into Swiss francs.
The initiative was realized as part of the city’s Plan ₿ program. It allows settling almost any municipal payment: income and corporate taxes, tuition, garbage collection, and penalties. The city officially accepts BTC, bitcoins via the Lightning Network, and the stablecoin USDT, importantly without sum limitations—even for substantial tax bills.
How Crypto Payment Works in LuganoPayments pass either directly through Lightning or via the payment associate Bitcoin Suisse. Its service charge is approximately 1% and is already incorporated into the exchange rate. For commerce, this represents notable savings: bank card fees are typically two to threefold higher.
Crucially, the city does not hold cryptocurrency on its balance sheet. All receipts are immediately swapped for francs. Authorities emphasize: for Lugano, this is not an investment, but a convenient payment method for citizens and firms already utilizing crypto assets.
Meanwhile, a local economy has formed around the payment system. Through the MyLugano application, purchasers receive up to 10% cashback in LVGA tokens when paying with cryptocurrency at affiliated stores. These tokens may be used for settling parking, nursery school, and other civic services.
Presently in Lugano, more than 350 retail venues accept crypto payments through Lightning—from eateries to small shops. For many proprietors, the choice is clear: the charge is lower, and funds arrive sooner.
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