Cannes, the French city famous for hosting the Cannes Film Festival, is set to experience a digital transformation. Merchants in Cannes are poised to begin accepting cryptocurrency payments by this summer, aiming to attract high-spending clientele and modernize the city’s payment ecosystem. Artem Shaginyan, founder and head of strategy of Web3 payment company Lunu Pay, informed that the Cannes municipal government is targeting a 90% adoption rate among local merchants.
Shaginyan stated, “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.
Cannes adopts widespread crypto payments
It’s about proving that crypto can work in everyday settings, not just online or in theory.”
In February, Cannes Mayor David Lisnard organized a crypto payment integration training session for business owners and professionals to promote the widespread acceptance of crypto payments in the city. This move towards embracing cryptocurrencies is part of a broader trend seen globally, where city, state, and federal governments seek to remain competitive by adopting modern financial technologies. For instance, the Swiss city of Lugano started accepting Bitcoin and stablecoins as part of its initiative to become a global crypto hub in December 2023.
Similarly, Panama City announced in April 2025 that taxes and municipal fees could now be paid in various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether, reflecting a growing trend towards digital currency adoption. As more jurisdictions consider integrating crypto into their financial systems, Cannes’ initiative could pave the way for cities worldwide to modernize their payment infrastructure, attracting increased investment and global recognition.
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