Most shops in Cannes, the world-famous French city known for its glamorous film festival, are preparing to accept cryptocurrency payments by summer 2025. The initiative aims to modernize the city’s payment infrastructure and attract high-net-worth tourists who prefer digital assets. According to Artem Shaginyan, founder of Web3 payments firm Lunu Pay, the local government is targeting 90% merchant participation in this ambitious rollout.
Shaginyan emphasized that Cannes embracing crypto marks a turning point for real-world Web3 adoption, proving digital currencies can work beyond the internet and in physical retail environments. In support of the initiative, Mayor David Lisnard previously launched training sessions to help local business owners understand and integrate crypto payment systems.
Cannes is joining a global wave of crypto-friendly cities modernizing their financial ecosystems. In Switzerland, Lugano began accepting Bitcoin and stablecoins for public services in late 2023. The U.S. state of Colorado, under Governor Jared Polis, started accepting crypto for tax payments as early as 2022. Vancouver also moved toward becoming a “Bitcoin-friendly” city by exploring adoption of crypto-based financial strategies.
Most recently, Panama City took a leap forward by allowing municipal taxes to be paid in Bitcoin, Ether, and major stablecoins. Mayor Mayer Mizrachi described the initiative as a move to attract global investment and raise the city's profile in the tech world.
Cannes’ push to integrate crypto into its daily economy reflects a growing global trend: digital assets are no longer a niche—they’re fast becoming a mainstream payment method for cities eager to attract innovation and wealth.