TechFlow News: On March 3, according to official announcements, Tether and the City of Lugano, Switzerland, have launched Phase II (2026–2030) of Plan ₿. Both parties have pledged up to CHF 5 million, primarily for expertise development, infrastructure construction, applied research, and training.
This phase will be structured around five pillars: building institutional infrastructure for digital asset management; developing Lugano as a hub for digital trade; advancing a sovereign digital identity system; fostering a local artificial intelligence ecosystem; and implementing distributed urban digital infrastructure.
Over the past four years, Plan ₿ has achieved significant results: over 400 local merchants now accept BTC, USD₮, and LVGA payments; the PoW.space innovation center has been established; more than 100 fintech and blockchain companies have been attracted to the region; and the Plan ₿ Forum has drawn over 4,000 participants from more than 60 countries.
Lugano Mayor Michele Foletti stated that Lugano has chosen to lead rather than wait—demonstrating that innovation and institutional responsibility can coexist.
