Tisséo Allows Toulouse to Be the First European City to Embrace Crypto for Public Transport
Residents of Toulouse will soon have the opportunity to utilize cryptocurrencies for their transportation needs within the city. On 17 March 2025, Tisséo, Toulouse’s public transport operator, revealed that crypto payment options would be available for metros, buses, trams, and cable cars.
This initiative positions Toulouse as the first city in Europe to incorporate digital currency into its public transit system. The payment system introduced by Tisséo allows users to acquire tickets via the Tisséo mobile application, which promptly converts payments made in BTC and over 70 alternative cryptocurrencies into Euros.
Sasha Briand, Tisséo’s finance chief, points out that this initiative is part of a larger strategy aimed at modernizing payment methods, building upon the 2023 implementation of credit card payment options on buses.
L’actu du jour
Dans un monde en perpétuelle évolution, Tisséo demeure à la pointe de l’#Innovation et devient le 1er opérateur de #transport européen à proposer la solution de paiement en #cryptomonnaieCe service est disponible sur smartphone Android via l’application Tisséo… pic.twitter.com/PLb2hs0NxX
— Tisséo (@tisseo_officiel) March 17, 2025
Briand mentions, “In two to three years, this could represent 20 or 30%. To keep pace with advancements and as part of our modernization initiative, we are rolling out this payment option.”
The immediate conversion to Euros shields Tisséo from market volatility; concurrently, passengers can effectively use digital currencies for fares, ensuring financial stability for the transport operator.
France is keen to launch various crypto-friendly services to take advantage of the increasing crypto adoption across the nation. Research conducted by Gemini indicates that 18% of the French population already possesses cryptocurrencies. Cannes is also progressing in creating a payment system that will accept crypto from its residents.
EXPLORE: Earn Up to 500 USDT with MEXC’s 20% Deposit Bonus for New Users – Join Before April 19
The Logistics of the Tisséo Crypto Platform
Tisséo has collaborated with Lyzi, a fintech company, and Binance, an exchange protocol, to enable crypto transactions within its system. However, some staunch BTC advocates have expressed their dissatisfaction with Binance’s role as they prefer transactions without intermediaries or altcoins.
Supporters of this initiative maintain that Binance’s involvement will guarantee faster transaction processes.
A single ticket is priced at around 0.000024 BTC (€1.80), and users can opt for multi-ride tickets and subscriptions. However, it’s crucial to note that this initiative is restricted to Android users via the Tisséo app, which might pose accessibility issues for individuals using different operating systems.
Accepted cryptocurrencies encompass BTC, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Tether, although users should be aware of specific regulatory requirements when utilizing crypto for payment of travel fares.
Transactions made with cryptocurrencies must be declared on tax form 3916-bis, potentially complicating the overall process. Additionally, users may encounter price fluctuations during currency conversion.
Importantly, a 30% capital gains tax is imposed on digital currency transactions.
EXPLORE: Hottest Meme Coins to Buy in April? Retail Target Latest Crypto For Mega Gains
Crypto Cities on the Rise: Are Crypto Payments the Future of Urban Spaces?
Crypto cities are increasingly emerging. While Toulouse stands out as the first European city to facilitate minor crypto transactions in everyday contexts, numerous cities globally have already begun integrating crypto for daily applications.
Since 2019, residents in approximately 60 cities across Argentina have been able to recharge their SUBE cards using cryptocurrencies. The UAE also permits payments in hotels, malls, and restaurants using Bitcoin; however, it’s noteworthy that Bitcoin is not acknowledged as legal tender within the UAE.
Recently, the UAE has experienced a surge in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), allowing individuals to purchase real estate with BTC. Additionally, the Crypto Valley in Switzerland has allowed residents to settle for services using BTC as early as 2016.
EXPLORE: El Salvador Adds More Bitcoin: Partners With Argentina, Paraguay To Focus On Latin America
Key Takeaways
- Toulouse leads as the first European city to accept crypto payments for public transportation.
- Cannes is reportedly in the process of establishing its own crypto payment system.
- The current initiative is exclusively available to Android users through the Tisséo app.
The post Tisséo Enables Toulouse to Become the First European City to Accept Crypto for Public Transportation appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
