Marketplace Tech This Swiss city wants to become the bitcoin capital of Europe
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Jan 14, 2026 
John Lawrenson, a BBC reporter, shares insights from his on-location coverage of Lugano, a picturesque Swiss town aiming to become Europe's bitcoin capital. He discusses how local shops and even municipal services have begun accepting bitcoin, including a crypto terminal at McDonald's. Lawrenson highlights the mixed reactions from residents, with some expressing skepticism and concerns about crime. The town's mayor defends bitcoin, arguing that fiat currencies present greater risks, showcasing Lugano's intriguing yet contentious crypto experiment.
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City-Backed Bitcoin Adoption
- Lugano actively promotes Bitcoin with Plan B and distributed crypto payment terminals to businesses.
- Hundreds of shops accept Bitcoin and the city even enables municipal payments in Bitcoin.
Eleven-Day Bitcoin Trial
- John Lawrenson spent 11 days living only on Bitcoin in Lugano to test its practicality.
- He found groceries and many services worked, but public transit, fuel, dentists and bill payments were limited.
Bitcoin's Volatility And Purpose
- Bitcoin is a volatile, purely digital currency controlled by encryption rather than central banks.
- Many buy it as an investment or gamble hoping its value will rise despite frequent crashes.