We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
From Points to Coins: How Lugano is making crypto mainstream by Jan Trautmann and Gianluca Perletti
Lugano's innovative cryptocurrency, Luga, promotes mainstream adoption with a user-friendly app offering cash back, rewards, and an NFT marketplace, with over 40% of the city's population already on board.
- Lugano’s city government and a private company partnered to create a local cryptocurrency called Luga, which is pegged to the value of the Swiss franc.
- The app allows users to earn cash back while shopping locally, and merchants can accept Luga as payment.
- The city’s goal is to promote mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency, and to date, almost half of Lugano’s population has tried using the app.
- The app uses a decentralized application (dApp) architecture, with a blockchain called Ettria Chain that has zero fees.
- The city has implemented various strategies to increase adoption, including education, user-friendly onboarding, and partnerships with local businesses.
- The app offers features such as cash back, rewards, and an NFT marketplace, which allows users to collect and trade unique digital assets.
- The city’s innovation lab, Lugano Living Lab, plays a key role in the project, and the city has established partnerships with local universities and companies to develop and improve the app.
- The app is available in both online and offline modes, allowing users to access their accounts and make transactions without internet connectivity.
- The city’s strategy focuses on creating a seamless user experience, with a goal of making cryptocurrency adoption mainstream.
- The app is available on both desktop and mobile devices, and the city is working to improve the user interface and experience.
- The city is conducting regular focus groups and user testing to gather feedback and improve the app.
- The city’s approach to adoption emphasizes education and user-friendly design, with a goal of making cryptocurrency accessible to a broad audience.
- The city’s project has received recognition, including a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people using a cryptocurrency.
- The city is working to improve the app’s accessibility and usability, including developing an SDK for developers to create custom applications.