David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes, has recently launched an ambitious initiative urging local businesses to embrace cryptocurrency payments. Lisnard, who has been at the helm of the city for over a decade, believes that by not accepting digital currencies, local businesses might miss out on potential clients with significant purchasing power. To support this transition, Lisnard has organized a ‘training session’ aimed at helping local merchants incorporate cryptocurrencies into their payment systems alongside the traditional euro. This initiative is a key component of Cannes’ broader ‘Web3 strategy,’ which references a new, decentralized phase of internet development driven by blockchain technology and token-based economics.
Embracing Digital Currencies
Lisnard’s announcement, which he made via a LinkedIn post, made it clear that his goal is neither to promote nor critique the merits of cryptocurrencies. Instead, he aims to ensure that Cannes doesn’t miss out on the high-value clientele who are accustomed to transacting in digital currencies in other parts of the world. He points out that while the use of cryptocurrencies remains relatively marginal in France, it is more widespread in other countries. According to Lisnard, local merchants stand to benefit significantly by tapping into this potential market, thereby boosting their revenues.
Cannes is globally renowned for its annual Film Festival and numerous industry expos, making it France’s second-largest city for trade shows after Paris. Despite its relatively modest population of just over 70,000, the city’s population nearly triples during the summer and major events. To assist local businesses in capitalizing on this influx, Lisnard has invited Cannes shopkeepers and socio-professionals to participate in a training session at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the main venue for the Cannes Film Festival. The session, scheduled for February 4th, will feature experts who will educate participants on the technical, legal, accounting, and tax aspects of accepting cryptocurrencies. These experts will also recommend the best solutions currently available in the market, ensuring that local merchants are adequately equipped to integrate cryptocurrency payments into their operations.
Preparing for the Ethereum Community Conference
Lisnard’s LinkedIn post further underscores the timeliness of this initiative, as Cannes is set to host the 8th edition of the ‘Ethereum Community Conference’ from June 30 to July 3, 2025. This event, described as Europe’s largest annual gathering dedicated to the Ethereum blockchain, is expected to draw over 6,400 attendees. Consequently, many potential customers who are used to paying in cryptocurrencies will be present in Cannes. In preparation for this, a map listing ‘crypto-friendly’ businesses will be made available to Ethereum Community Conference-accredited businesses and the public. This map will be updated regularly, ensuring that visitors have access to up-to-date information on where they can spend their digital currencies.
Lisnard is optimistic that by leveraging new technologies, Cannes can compete with the world’s top destinations. He believes this will not only attract more visitors but also enhance the prosperity of local merchants. As the city gears up for the Ethereum Community Conference, the initiative to integrate cryptocurrency payments is seen as a strategic move to cater to a tech-savvy, high-value clientele. This proactive approach underscores Cannes’ commitment to staying ahead of technological trends and ensuring that its local economy benefits from these advancements.
Global Trends in Cryptocurrency Adoption
The push towards cryptocurrency adoption in Cannes mirrors recent developments in other cities, including Vancouver in Canada. Vancouver’s mayor, Ken Sim, has a vision of making the city’s public administration ‘Bitcoin friendly.’ A mayoral motion, passed by Vancouver councillors, titled ‘Preserving the City’s Purchasing Power Through Diversification of Financial Reserves – Becoming A Bitcoin Friendly City,’ outlines this vision. Sim’s plan extends beyond enabling public authorities to accept crypto payments, aiming also to invest in Bitcoin. He argues that diversifying Vancouver’s financial reserves to include Bitcoin would enhance the city’s financial portfolio’s resilience, preserve taxpayers’ purchasing power, and align Vancouver with innovative financial strategies to address economic challenges such as currency debasement and inflation. To this end, city staff have begun conducting a comprehensive analysis of the potential to integrate Bitcoin into Vancouver’s financial strategies.
In the United States, the return of Donald Trump to power is anticipated to bring about crypto-friendly regulation at the federal level. Having recently begun his second term, Trump has pledged to establish the US as the ‘crypto capital’ and ‘Bitcoin superpower’ of the world. According to Global Government Fintech, Detroit’s city administration is planning to enable residents to pay taxes and other city fees using cryptocurrency by mid-2025. Managed by PayPal, this initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance city payment services, positioning Detroit as a pioneer in the adoption of digital currencies for public sector payments.
European and Global Adoption
David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes, has recently introduced an ambitious initiative, urging local businesses to start accepting cryptocurrency payments. Lisnard, who has led the city for more than ten years, is convinced that not embracing digital currencies means local businesses could miss out on clients with strong purchasing power. In support of this transition, Lisnard has organized a ‘training session’ to assist local merchants in incorporating cryptocurrencies into their payment systems alongside the traditional euro. This effort is a crucial part of Cannes’ broader ‘Web3 strategy,’ referencing a new decentralized phase of internet development driven by blockchain technology and token-based economics. The mayor’s push for the adoption of cryptocurrency payments aligns with the growing global trend of digital currency acceptance. By incorporating this innovative technology, Cannes aims to position itself as a forward-thinking and modern city. This move could potentially attract more tech-savvy tourists and investors, further boosting the local economy.
