Binance Pay has partnered with French fintech Lyzi to enable over 80 businesses across the French Riviera to accept cryptocurrency payments. The rollout, spanning cities including Cannes, Nice, Antibes and Monaco, would integrate digital assets into the region’s luxury tourism and retail economy. The French Riviera is a popular tourist destination. The partnership gives visitors and local people the ability to pay with stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies at a wide range of establishments, including hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, luxury retailers and service providers. By scanning a QR code and confirming a transaction, customers can settle their bills instantly without paying gas fees. The merchants benefit from immediate euro settlement through the system’s integration. City officials in Cannes have been vocal in encouraging crypto adoption among local merchants. Earlier this year, Cannes Mayor David Lisnard urged local businesses to start accepting cryptocurrency payments alongside euros, warning they risk missing out if they don’t adapt. Binance Pay said the payment system supports over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Euro and US dollar-backed stablecoins. It also delivers robust security features such as encrypted transfers, two-factor authentication and real-time confirmations.
The adoption of crypto payments in a world-class destination like the French Riviera shows that digital assets are becoming part of everyday life. Venues including the JW Marriott and Hotel Gray d’Albion in Cannes, beach clubs like Palais Stéphanie Beach, and luxury retailers including Parker and Smith in Monaco now accept crypto payments. Wellness-focused businesses like Palm Gym in Antibes have also joined the initiative. To support the rollout, Binance Pay launched a promotional campaign offering shoppers a 5 EURI reward for eligible purchases of at least 20 euros in crypto. Bhutan also recently embraced crypto for tourism with the launch of a payment system in partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank. The initiative allows travelers to use over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, USDC and BNB to pay for hotels, tickets and local services through simple QR code payments. In May, Thailand announced plans to let tourists spend cryptocurrency by linking their digital assets to credit cards, enabling seamless local purchases with merchants receiving Thai but without knowing crypto was used.