Tether and the City of Lugano have launched the second phase of Plan ₿, a five-year initiative running through 2030 that aims to establish the Swiss city as a global center for blockchain infrastructure and digital asset integration. The expansion builds on four years of groundwork that has positioned Lugano as a leading European hub for real-world crypto adoption.
From Pilot to Infrastructure
Since Plan ₿'s launch in 2022, Lugano has integrated digital assets into both commercial and municipal operations. Over 400 local merchants now accept Bitcoin, USDT, and the city's LVGA token, while municipal services have tested blockchain-based payments and digital bond issuance. The city's PoW.space innovation hub has attracted more than 100 companies, creating a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized technologies.
The initiative's annual Plan ₿ Forum has grown into a significant industry gathering, drawing 4,000 participants from over 60 countries to discuss financial sovereignty and digital infrastructure development.
Five Strategic Pillars Through 2030
Phase II focuses on institutional-grade infrastructure development across five areas:
- SwissLedger development: An open blockchain platform designed for banks and enterprises
- Digital trade hub: Tokenization infrastructure for commodities and programmable payment systems
- Privacy-preserving identity: Zero-knowledge technology for voluntary citizen and business verification
- Decentralized AI integration: Autonomous economic agents for public services and programmable transactions
- Resilient urban infrastructure: Distributed networks and cybersecurity systems for critical services
Tether has committed up to CHF 5 million ($6.3 million) over five years, primarily providing technical expertise, infrastructure support, research, and training. Governance remains with the City of Lugano, with initiatives following compliance evaluations and iterative scaling processes.
Workforce and Industry Implications
The expansion signals growing demand for blockchain developers, infrastructure engineers, and compliance specialists in institutional digital asset environments. Lugano's focus on privacy technologies, decentralized identity, and AI integration creates opportunities for professionals with expertise in zero-knowledge systems and autonomous agent development.
As Mayor Michele Foletti noted, the initiative prioritizes "open, resilient civic digital infrastructure," suggesting continued growth in public-sector blockchain roles. For web3 professionals, Lugano's model demonstrates how cities are becoming testing grounds for enterprise-grade decentralized systems, potentially creating new career pathways at the intersection of public infrastructure and blockchain technology.
