Detroit announced the start of a large-scale program to modernize and improve the city’s payment infrastructure, part of which will be the connection of PayPal to process cryptocurrency payments.
Detroit’s Office of Treasury announced plans to accept crypto as tax payments and payment for various municipal services. The technical partner will be the PayPal platform. The initiative is expected to be implemented by mid-2025, along with overall improvements in the operational efficiency of the City’s payment services.
PayPal currently supports BTC, ETH, BTH, LTC, and its own dollar-pegged stablecoin PayPal USD (PYUSD).
The press release reports that the introduction of crypto payments is part of the City’s larger strategy to explore innovative technologies that could improve public services, enhance civic engagement, and promote economic growth. In particular, the City’s authorities intend to attract blockchain companies to cooperate in the development of city services.
Mike Duggan, Mayor of Detroit, said the initiative aims to create a tech-friendly environment that will empower residents and businesses. The politician notes that Detroit will be one of the first major U.S. cities to explore scenarios for the use of blockchain technologies at the municipal level and allow residents to use cryptocurrency as a method of payment.
Similar initiatives are already being implemented in the USA both at the governmental level and by business representatives. In September 2024, residents of the state of Louisiana got an opportunity to pay for public services using cryptocurrency. In November, the chain of convenience stores Sheetz, one of the largest in the U.S., began accepting crypto as payment for goods and services.
