- Mayor Mike Duggan emphasizes Detroit’s aim to be a tech-friendly city, exploring blockchain’s civic applications extensively.
- The new crypto payment platform will increase accessibility for all, especially benefiting unbanked Detroit residents.
Detroit is set to be the largest U.S. city to embrace cryptocurrency payments, as announced by city officials. Starting in mid-2025, residents will be able to use cryptocurrencies to pay for taxes and other city-related fees.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to make Detroit a hub for technological innovation and digital currency adoption.
“Detroit is building a technology-friendly environment that empowers residents and entrepreneurs,” Mayor Mike Duggan
Mayor Mike Duggan highlighted the city’s commitment to technological advancement and its eagerness to implement blockchain for civic applications. This move aims to provide residents with more flexibility in how they interact financially with city services.
“We are excited to be one of the first major U.S. cities to explore blockchains civic applications and allow residents to use their cryptocurrency as a payment option.”
Treasurer Nikhil Patel outlined the integration of cryptocurrencies into Detroit’s payment system as a dual benefit. It not only accommodates those who prefer digital currencies but also simplifies electronic transactions for all residents, including the unbanked.
“This new payment platform will increase accessibility for Detroiters who would like to use cryptocurrency; more importantly, the platform upgrade will also make it easier for Detroiters to make electronic payments – including those who may be unbanked,” Patel said.
This is seen as a step towards enhancing public service accessibility and improving civic engagement.
Detroit, with its population of approximately 630,000, is pioneering in the adoption of such technologies among major U.S. cities. While cities like Miami and New York have shown interest in cryptocurrencies, they have not yet enabled crypto payments for city services.
In contrast, smaller cities like Williston, North Dakota, and Miami Lakes, Florida, have already started accepting cryptocurrency payments.
This system places Detroit alongside three states—Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana—that have already adopted cryptocurrency for state payments.
