Cannes to Host Citywide Crypto Payments by Summer 2025
Cannes, world-renowned for its luxurious film festival and vibrant events calendar, is set to become one of the most crypto-friendly cities in Europe by summer 2025. That’s according to Artem Shaginyan, CEO of Lunu Pay, one of the leading Web3 payment solutions providers. The French Riviera city has set its sights on 90% crypto payment coverage by its local businesses.
When a city like Cannes starts to adopt crypto at scale, it shows that Web3 is no longer niche,” said Shaginyan.
This will attract international visitors, especially high-net-worth individuals, as well as make Cannes a modern hub for digital finance.
Local Government Leads the Way in Crypto Adoption
In February, Cannes Mayor David Lisnard announced specialized crypto payment instruction workshops for business owners and professionals in the city. The workshops are aimed at accelerating the process and offering smooth onboarding for the merchants new to digital assets.
The move is part of a larger plan to update Cannes’ commercial infrastructure and make it more appealing to tech-savvy, international clientele.
Cities Around the Globe Follow Similar Patterns
Cannes is not alone in embracing crypto. Several international jurisdictions have made the same announcement in recent times:
- Lugano, Switzerland began accepting Bitcoin and stablecoins for taxes and municipal services in December 2023.
- Colorado, USA started accepting crypto tax payments in September 2022.
- Vancouver, Canada passed a motion in December 2024 to become a “Bitcoin-friendly city.”
- Panama City followed in April 2025 by accepting Bitcoin, Ether, USDC, and USDT for municipal payments.
These actions are all indicative of a growing consensus among city governments that digital assets can play a central role in local economies.
Crypto in Cannes: More Than a Trend
Cannes’ decision to encourage crypto payments reflects a deeper development of integrating Web3 infrastructure into everyday life. If successful, it could set an example for other cities struggling to balance tradition, tourism, and technological advancement.
