Bitcoin News Today: "Lugano's Bitcoin Blueprint Aims to Reshape Europe's Digital Economy"

Lugano and Tether have announced the fourth edition of the Plan ₿ Forum, a two-day event scheduled for October 24–25, 2025, at the Villa Ciani Convention Center in the Swiss city. The forum, organized by the City of Lugano in collaboration with Tether, aims to position the city as a European hub for Bitcoin adoption, blockchain innovation, and decentralized technologies. The event will feature over 100 speakers, including Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, Lightning Labs founder Elizabeth Stark, and Blockstream CEO Adam Back, alongside policymakers, entrepreneurs, and Bitcoin advocates. Last year's edition attracted 2,900 participants from 60 countries and facilitated over 6,000 Bitcoin/USDT transactions in local businesses, underscoring the city's commitment to integrating cryptocurrency into daily commercetitle2^[2].

The 2025 forum will expand its scope with a week-long "Plan ₿ Week" (October 20–23) featuring workshops, startup competitions, and educational sessions at PoW.space, a co-working hub dedicated to Bitcoin innovation. A key focus will be on Bitcoin's role in reshaping financial systems, with discussions on nation-state adoption, financial sovereignty, and the implications of decentralized technologies for public policy. The event will also highlight practical use cases, such as the city's integration of Bitcoin and Tether for municipal services and taxes, a strategy initiated in 2022title9^[9]. Over 360 merchants in Lugano now accept Bitcoin, Tether, or the city's proprietary stablecoin, LVGA, with plans to expand to 10,000 businesses by 2026title10^[10].

Tether's partnership with Lugano has been pivotal in advancing the city's crypto ecosystem. The company has funded a CHF 3 million initiative to equip local businesses with crypto-compatible POS terminals, enabling seamless transactions for both residents and tourists. This infrastructure supports the city's broader goal of becoming a "Bitcoin city," where digital currencies coexist with traditional payment methods. The initiative also includes educational programs, such as free Bitcoin workshops for students and technical training for developers, to foster a skilled workforce in blockchain and decentralized systemstitle9^[9].

The forum's expanded format will include a "Spazio 21" program, offering 50 Italian-language workshops for beginners, and a closing party to facilitate networking among attendees. The event will also showcase Bitcoin art exhibitions and startup innovations, reflecting the city's emphasis on cultural and technological convergence. Notable speakers will address topics ranging from Bitcoin mining sustainability to regulatory frameworks, with Blockstream's new R&D hub in Lugano expected to contribute insights on advancing Layer-2 solutions like the Lightning Networktitle7^[7].

Lugano's strategic vision aligns with Switzerland's broader embrace of cryptocurrency innovation. The country has updated its regulatory framework to support digital assets, and recent proposals suggest integrating Bitcoin into the Swiss National Bank's reserves. This environment has attracted companies like LQWD Technologies, which recently established a Swiss office to develop Bitcoin Lightning Network infrastructure, and Blockstream, which opened a research center to collaborate with local startupstitle6^[6]. The city's efforts to balance regulatory clarity with technological experimentation have made it a model for other municipalities seeking to leverage blockchain for economic growthtitle12^[12].

The 2025 forum will build on the success of previous editions, which have drawn global attention to Lugano's crypto-friendly policies. With over 3,000 expected attendees, the event will serve as a platform for stakeholders to discuss the future of Bitcoin adoption, regulatory evolution, and the role of decentralized technologies in fostering financial freedom. As the city continues to expand its crypto infrastructure and educational initiatives, the Plan ₿ Forum underscores Lugano's ambition to lead Europe's transition into a digital economytitle2^[2].