Louisiana officially announced that it would accept cryptocurrency as a legal payment method. In addition, former US President Trump also used Bitcoin to buy burgers at a Bitcoin-themed bar in New York yesterday.
According to an announcement by the Louisiana Department of Finance on the 17th, Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming said: The state government plans to accept cryptocurrencies as a legal way to pay for state services and allow digital currencies to be integrated into Louisiana’s public operations:
In today's digital age, government systems must continue to evolve and embrace new technologies.
By introducing cryptocurrency as a payment option, we are not only innovating, but also providing citizens with flexibility and freedom in interacting with state services. In addition, this unique innovation also protects our state from the volatility of cryptocurrency.
It is understood that local residents can now use the Bitcoin network, Lightning Network or US dollar stablecoins to pay for state government services (the Louisiana Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries is the first department to accept digital currency payment options, and this may continue to expand in the future).
The state government stated that by cooperating with BeaPay, it ensures the payment process is secure and avoids the price fluctuations of cryptocurrencies. Through Bead Pay, the statement said that both residents and the state government will receive the following benefits:
Fewer fraudulent transactions
Louisiana will not handle cryptocurrencies to avoid price fluctuations
Any digital wallet with cryptocurrency can be used
Countries receive payments in USD
In other words, the state government does not seem to want to reserve cryptocurrencies, but rather accept cryptocurrencies as a form of payment, but still receive payments in US dollars.
Since the current Louisiana Governor, Jeff Landry, is a Republican, it seems that this move is the result of the Republican Party testing the government's further support for Bitcoin payments and the public's reaction.
Trump Pays for Burgers with Bitcoin
On the other hand, Trump, the most influential Republican on Bitcoin, treated his supporters to burgers at PubKey, a Bitcoin-themed bar in New York on Wednesday and paid with Bitcoin.
It is understood that this bar, which provides food and beverages, features Bitcoin and is a community gathering place for local Bitcoin enthusiasts. It also supports Bitcoin payments on the Lightning Network, allowing customers to use Bitcoin for consumption.
On that day, Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, asked, "Who wants a hamburger?" PubKey co-founder Drew Armstrong revealed that Trump bought dozens of hamburgers for $998.7 and used Strike, a payment application based on the Lightning Network, to pay. The block height at that time was 861871.
