In summer 2022, the city of Lugano gave the green light for a payment platform that allowed companies and citizens to pay certain types of taxes and charges with cryptocurrencies. This is now being expanded to include other taxes and fees, although the city only accepts two cryptocurrencies.
The city of Lugano is broadening its payment options and now also accepts cryptocurrencies for the payment of tax bills and all other municipal charges. With immediate effect, Lugano will accept Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) as means of payment. According to a news article published on Tuesday, the crypto payment solution is being implemented by Bitcoin Suisse.
The new solution modernizes the way in which Lugano’s citizens are able to pay city bills. Private individuals and companies alike can now use Bitcoin and Tether to pay all bills issued by the city of Lugano, including tax bills. The new payment option is available with immediate effect for all city bills, regardless of the nature of the service or the amount billed.
Fully Automated Solution
Crypto payments were previously only possible via the city’s online portal. Bitcoin Suisse is handling the technical part of the integrated payment solution. The company says it is offering a fully automated solution that uses the advantages of the Swiss QR-bill.
The move is part of Lugano’s «Plan B», a collaborative effort with Tether to use Bitcoin technology as the basis for transforming the city’s financial system. The aim is to integrate blockchain and Bitcoin into various aspects of daily life in Lugano.
Following on from successful implementations in both the city and Canton of Zug and in the municipality of Zermatt, Lugano is now the next Swiss city to embrace cryptocurrency as an officially recognized means of payment.