Business Daily Welcome to 'Bitcoin city'
Dec 3, 2025
In Lugano, Switzerland, Bitcoin is making waves as a payment method, with shops and municipal services diving into the crypto world. Young customers are embracing Bitcoin, while local merchants weigh the benefits against volatility. The town is nurturing a vibrant Bitcoin community with co-working hubs and educational events. One brave soul lived exclusively on Bitcoin for over a week, highlighting gaps in everyday spending. However, there's local opposition and concerns about crypto's reputation, creating a philosophical divide in this bold financial experiment.
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Quick Bitcoin Coffee Purchase
- A customer paid for coffee at McDonald's in Lugano using Bitcoin by scanning a QR code and completing the transaction in seconds.
- The payer kept separate wallets: a long-term savings wallet and a daily spending 'purse' for routine purchases.
Shop Owner Sees Slow Bitcoin Uptake
- Cherubino Free, a shop owner, accepts Bitcoin though sales remain sporadic and often serve younger clients.
- He notes transaction fees around 1% and expects Bitcoin adoption to grow over 5–10 years.
11-Day Bitcoin-Only Experiment
- Mia Liponi lived only on Bitcoin for 11 days when her bank cut her off and found groceries, medical care, delivery and a supermarket workable.
- She struggled to pay for fuel, public transport, dentistry and utility bills in Bitcoin.