The popularity of digital tokens such as bitcoin has been increasing sharply over the past year. As cryptocurrencies gain hold in the mainstream world on their way to mass adaptation, with it comes to the rise of locations to use these coins to pay for goods and services
Fast Private Jet set out to discover which global capitals are the best destinations for crypto-savvy travelers, indexing cities with the most venues accepting digital currency payments in places such as hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Some key findings include:
- Slovenia as a country has more physical locations accepting cryptocurrency payments than the entire United States.
- Prague in the Czech Republic came out as the 2nd best crypto-friendly destination in Europe.
- Spain’s capital, Madrid, comes third in the rankings for Europe.
- New York is the USA’s top destination for bitcoin-savvy travellers
- California’s biggest cities Los Angeles and San Francisco come 2nd and 3rd respectively in our ranking for most crypto-friendly cities in the US.
- The USA has the highest number of crypto ATM’s in the world, with LA alone home to 1862 crypto-ATMs.
Europe’s most crypto-friendly destination: Ljubljana Slovenia
Coming in the first place, the Slovenian capital city of Ljubljana is by far the most crypto-friendly capital in Europe. With 72 shops and 33 sports venues accepting payments through digital currencies, travelers looking to leave their fiat at home could call this paradise.
Slovenia’s largest shopping center, coincidentally named ‘BTC’, is attempting to become a “Bitcoin City” itself, and it has been reported that last year that Slovenia as a country has more physical locations accepting cryptocurrency payments than the entire United States.
Slovenia has the highest market capitalization per capita of blockchain. As Slovenia is fast becoming engrossed in the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, the country is also facing new legislation around cryptocurrency to determine how crypto holdings and transactions are going to be taxed. The country’s government is looking to adopt a 10% flat tax for people exchanging cryptocurrency for fiat money which would also apply for purchases made with crypto.
Prague in the Czech Republic came out as the 2nd best crypto-friendly destination in Europe. The city has one of the world’s first Bitcoin-only coffee-house, Paralelní Polis. Prague has been known for its advancements in the everyday use of crypto where people can go buy their shopping, see a film, and even pay their rent.
Spain’s capital, Madrid, comes third in the rankings for Europe. In 2021 Spain created new legislation around the use of cryptocurrency for businesses, but there is still little regulation around spending cryptocurrency in the country. Spain still doesn’t recognize cryptocurrency as ‘legal tender’ but Spaniards can choose to buy gift cards for stores using their cryptocurrency, which they can then use online and in-store in clothing shops and on tech and electronics such as Netflix subscription gift cards and Amazon (ES).
USA’s most crypto-friendly destination: New York City, New York
New York City, home to the most iconic financial district in the world, tops the list of most crypto-friendly destinations to visit in the United States.
The city has numerous options for spending your cryptocurrency, whether on shopping, eating at La Sirène in Soho, or even a night out. Recently, the senior executive director of NYC’s Office of Nightlife, Ariel Palitz, stated that “crypto’s effect on the industry in New York is inevitable” and this can be seen through the increase in venues accepting crypto payment across the city.
California’s biggest cities Los Angeles and San Francisco come 2nd and 3rd respectively in our ranking for most crypto-friendly cities in the US. Los Angeles is home to one of the first restaurants to accept crypto payments in the US back since as early as 2013. The city is seeing a growing number of restaurants, shops, and even property developers and landlords accepting crypto payments. With the famous Staples Centre set to become the Crypto.com Arena, the city is making moves towards becoming a more crypto-friendly destination.
San Francisco may not have as many places to eat and shop with cryptocurrency as LA, but the home of Silicon Valley has 437 bitcoin ATMs in the Bay Area alone – including 65 dotted around the city. The tech capital is fast on the heels of its competitor cities to become the most crypto-friendly US city.
Top three most crypto-friendly destinations worldwide: Slovenia, Czech Republic and Buenos Aires
Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana also tops the rankings globally for the most crypto-friendly destinations, followed by Prague in the Czech Republic. When taking into account other countries worldwide, Buenos Aires in Argentina and Tokyo in Japan take 3rd and 4th spot respectively.
Until the end of 2021 crypto exchanges in Argentina did not incur taxes because they were part of an exemption. However, due to the increase of cryptocurrency purchases in the region, at the end of 2021 Argentinian officials announced a plan to tax crypto exchanges.
Where has the highest number of crypto ATM’s in the world?
The US has the largest number of crypto ATMs in the world with 30,963 found across the states. Los Angeles is home to 1862 crypto ATMs alone. The top cities in the US for crypto ATMs are:
1. Los Angeles, California – 1862
2. Houston, Texas – 1136
3. Dallas, Texas – 1133
4. Chicago, Illinois – 1075
5. Atlanta, Georgia – 916
6. Detroit, Michigan – 787
7. Miami, Florida – 764
8. Orlando, Florida – 740
9. Tampa, Florida – 642
10. Boston, Massachusetts – 586
Canada has the 2nd highest number of crypto ATMs in the world. Interestingly, cryptocurrency is not a legal tender in Canada meaning people who want to spend their bitcoin in Canada have to take their money out in fiat.
El Salvador in Central America has the 3rd largest number of crypto ATMs in the world. It has been recently reported that the city has been making progress toward making the city a ‘Bitcoin city’ – residing at the base of Conchagua volcano.
Now you know the most crypto-friendly destinations around the world, where would you fly to next?
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