Lugano turns Bitcoin into everyday money, from McDonald's payments to municipal taxes in 2025

In Lugano, Switzerland, a 2022 partnership between the city and Tether has turned Bitcoin and USDT into daily payment options for everything from fast food to municipal taxes. By October 2025, the Plan ₿ initiative had equipped hundreds of merchants with Lightning-enabled terminals, integrated tax and fee payments via QR codes, and attracted over 110 crypto startups and 4,000 forum attendees. The city converts incoming crypto instantly to Swiss francs via Bitcoin Suisse, while a CHF-pegged LVGA loyalty token offers up to 10% cashback and can be used for public services. Local critics, however, warn about custodial risks and note that many residents still see Bitcoin more as an investment than a currency.