For several weeks, the residents of Toulouse were able to use bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies for their travels in the subway, tram and bus.
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- Toulouse becomes the first European city to accept cryptocurrencies for the payment of public transport from 17 March 2025.
- Residents can buy their tickets through mobile applications and payments immediately transferred to euro thanks to binance and lysi.
- The aim of this experimental project is to observe the development of cryptocurrency use in a legal framework that could be modified in the future.
Initiative of a pioneer in Europe
Toulouse is now the first European city to allow the use of cryptocurrencies for public transport payment. This progress occurs while France is actively trying to develop crypto-friendly services. The city deployed this system through the local public transport operator Tiséo, which created a solution for buying tickets through the mobile app for Android. Payments can be made in bitcoins or one of the 70 alternative cryptocurrency cryptocurrencies, and the means are immediately converted into euro. The aim of this adoption is to satisfy the growing demand of citizens who want to use their digital assets in everyday life.
The impact of binance and the role of lysi
The system implemented in Toulouse is based on infrastructure provided by lysi, Paris Finals specializing in cryptocurrency payments. Lyzi makes it easier to accept crypto payments for various sectors, including pharmacies and restaurants. However, this cooperation with Binance, the main player in the exchange of cryptocurrencies, aroused criticism from some bitcoin’s followers. These prefer a system without intermediaries, while supporters believe that binance is necessary to guarantee fast and efficient transactions. This model could serve as an example for other French and European cities and open the way to a wider acceptance of cryptocurrency during daily payments.
Test for the future of cryptocurrency in France
According to Sacha Brian, Deputy Mayor Toulouse, the initiative is an experimental project that aims to observe the development of the use of cryptocurrencies in public transport. Toulouse Administration is optimistic about the long -term perspectives of Kryptos integration into the local economy. The aim is to understand whether this method of payment will become sufficiently popular enough to justify generalization. Meanwhile, users must be aware that they will have to announce their transactions in the crypt through the tax form 3916-BIS, with a capital revenue tax of 30%. This legal framework could eventually be released to facilitate the acceptance of a large degree.
Another crypto-friendly cities around the world
Although Toulouse was the first European city to adopt public transport cryptocurrencies, other countries have already set out before this way. In Argentina, for example, citizens can recharge their SUBE shipping cards with cryptocurrencies since 2019. In Dubai, Bitcoin payments in many facilities are common, including hotels and restaurants. In Switzerland, Zug, nicknamed “Crypto Valley”, has since allowed its residents to establish bitcoin services, including taxes. On the other hand, Hong Kong is another example where cryptocurrencies are commonly used for everyday payments, and therefore emphasize the global movement in favor of the integration of digital currencies into everyday life.