The Swiss city that lets you pay for most things with bitcoin
John LaurensonBusiness reporter, Lugano, Switzerland
AFP via Getty ImagesIn a McDonald’s by a lake surrounded by mountains, in the centre of the Swiss city of Lugano, a customer orders coffee.
“Can I pay with bitcoin?” he asks, and the person behind the counter holds out what looks like a credit card payment terminal.
It is in fact a machine for paying by crypto currency. The equipment has been distributed free to local retail businesses by the city council.
The buyer pays by contactless, from the bitcoin wallet on his mobile phone. The bill comes to 0.00008629, which is roughly $8.80 (£6.60).
Few people who have bought bitcoin would probably think about using it to…
