According to reports, Detroit city government officials announced on Thursday that residents will be able to pay taxes and other municipal fees using cryptocurrency through a secure platform managed by PayPal. Mayor Mike Duggan stated in a press release:
"Detroit is building a friendly technology environment that empowers residents and entrepreneurs. We are excited to be one of the first major American cities to explore blockchain in municipal applications and to allow residents the option to use cryptocurrency as a payment method."
According to City Treasurer Nikhil Patel, this option will be enabled by mid-2025 and will be accompanied by improvements to other municipal payment services. It is emphasized that this is part of Detroit's broader strategy to explore innovative technologies to enhance public services, strengthen citizen engagement, and promote economic growth. Nikhil Patel stated:
"This new payment platform will improve convenience for Detroit residents who want to use cryptocurrency; more importantly, the upgrades to the platform will make it easier for Detroit residents to make electronic payments, including those who may not have bank accounts."
In addition, Detroit has invited blockchain operators to present their ideas for municipal blockchain applications to the city’s Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity. The city expressed interest in projects that could leverage blockchain to enhance transparency, improve data security, and streamline public services.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Detroit has a population of approximately 630,000, making it the 26th largest city in the United States. Detroit was the fourth largest city in the country in the 1950s, with a population nearing 2 million.
Currently, three state governments in the United States (Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana) accept cryptocurrency payments. Cities like Miami and New York City have also expressed strong interest in cryptocurrency, with the latter even creating its own 'MiamiCoin.' However, these cities have yet to accept cryptocurrency as a payment method.
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