Lugano

city
Trusted third party

A Swiss lakeside city of about 60,000 that partnered with Tether on Plan B in 2022. Around 360 to 400 merchants take bitcoin, USDT, and the LVGA token, and the city accepts them for taxes and fees. Polished and expensive — this is institutional adoption in a banking country, not a grassroots economy.

On the ground

  • Acceptance: roughly 360–400 merchants onboarded via Plan B
  • Cost: Swiss prices — among the most expensive bases on this list.
  • Last updated: 2026-06-12

The legal layer: Switzerland

Capital gains on crypto are tax-free for private individuals; holdings are subject to annual cantonal wealth tax (roughly 0.1–1% depending on canton), staking and mining income is taxed as income, and professional-trader classification converts gains into taxable income.

Full Switzerland breakdown →

Communities in Lugano

Plan ₿ Lugano

The City of Lugano's joint initiative with Tether, launched March 2022, to make bitcoin and stablecoins part of municipal life. Around 360 to 400 merchants accept BTC, USDT, and the city's LVGA token, taxes can be paid in crypto, and an annual forum draws thousands. Top-down by design — its momentum depends on city hall and Tether's funding.

Trusted third party