The city of Cannes, best known for its iconic film festival, is preparing to become a frontrunner in real-world crypto adoption. By summer 2025, local officials expect that nearly 90% of merchants in the glamorous French Riviera destination will begin accepting cryptocurrency payments.
The initiative, led by Cannes Mayor David Lisnard, aims to revamp the city’s commercial payment system by embracing Web3 technologies that cater to a global and affluent clientele. In February, the mayor introduced a series of training programs designed to help local businesses onboard crypto payment solutions efficiently and securely.
According to Artem Shaginyan, founder and chief strategist at Web3 payments firm Lunu Pay, the city’s push sends a strong message: crypto is no longer a fringe experiment.
“This is a big signal. When a city like Cannes, known globally for culture and commerce, starts integrating crypto at scale, it shows that Web3 payments aren’t just a niche thing anymore. It’s about proving that crypto can work in everyday settings, not just online or in theory,” Shaginyan said in a statement to Cointelegraph.
This strategic pivot aligns Cannes with a growing number of jurisdictions exploring digital assets to future-proof their economies. From Miami and Dubai to Lugano and Panama City, cities around the world are recognizing crypto as more than just a speculative asset—it’s becoming part of the infrastructure.
As Cannes prepares to host the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) this June, its move toward wide-scale crypto integration positions it not just as a city of film, but also a potential model for urban crypto adoption.
Cities Worldwide Race Toward Crypto Payment Integration
Governments across the globe are stepping up their efforts to modernize financial infrastructure by integrating cryptocurrency into public services. The trend, once seen as experimental, is now gaining traction in major jurisdictions from Europe to North America.
In Switzerland, the city of Lugano began accepting Bitcoin and stablecoins for taxes and municipal services in late 2023. The move was part of its broader ambition to become a world-renowned crypto hub, leveraging blockchain to enhance financial accessibility and efficiency.
In the United States, Colorado led the charge under Governor Jared Polis, launching a crypto tax payment system in September 2022. The state’s Department of Revenue was instructed to create a mechanism for accepting digital assets like Bitcoin for tax obligations—a signal of growing governmental confidence in blockchain-backed transactions.
Canada joined the movement more recently. In December 2024, the city of Vancouver passed a motion declaring itself a “Bitcoin-friendly city.” The initiative includes exploring BTC integration into municipal systems and even considering a city-run Bitcoin treasury—a potential first for a major North American metro.
Meanwhile, Panama City made headlines in April 2025 by officially accepting crypto payments for taxes and municipal fees. Approved assets include Bitcoin, Ether, USDC, and USDT. According to Mayor Mayer Mizrachi, the decision aligns with Panama’s ambition to become a modern, investment-attractive city.
“This isn’t just about tech—it’s about global relevance,” Mizrachi said.
From Europe to the Americas, these developments reflect a growing belief among lawmakers that crypto integration into public services is not only feasible but necessary to remain competitive in a digital-first economy.
Quick Facts
- High Ambition: Cannes is targeting 90% crypto payment adoption by summer 2025.
- City-Led Initiative: Mayor Lisnard launched training to prepare merchants for Web3 adoption.
- Global Trend: Cannes joins cities like Lugano, Panama City, and Vancouver in crypto integration.
- Industry Endorsement: Web3 leaders say the shift proves crypto works for real-world payments.
