A shopping center in Slovenia embraces the use of cryptocurrencies through a pilot project

Many countries have followed suit to use emerging technologies such as cryptocurrencies and Blockchain. While the emerging technology of the large distributed register is of interest to governments around the world , cryptocurrencies have had to be accepted as a form of payment. Slovenia, a European country located in the Alps, remedies this situation with a pilot project called the BTC City. She tests the use of digital currencies in a large commercial complex in Ljubljana.

Cryptocurrency pilot project as a method of payment

The excitement generated by the price explosion in 2017 has not been enough for the moment to convince the stores, from all over the world, to accept Bitcoin and altcoins. Are the attractiveness and relevance of these crypto-currencies today being called into question? Not necessarily.

A new group of 150 people is about to test the use of cryptocurrencies in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, at the moment.

The city, also known as " BTC City " has a huge retail complex with 500 stores. Twenty-four different companies from BTC City will be subjected to a pilot project to test the interest of the general public in payment in cryptocurrencies. Citizens will then be able to pay for their purchases with their smartphones, through the Elipay digital currency transaction system.

Although the name "BTC City" has an obvious similarity to Bitcoin, the abbreviation BTC refers to Blagovno Transportni Center, a popular shopping complex that opened in 1950.

Great ambitions

It is true that a number of companies around the world have already established similar pilot projects. However, the mall's initiative is quite distinctive given its size and the state support it receives.

Its objective is all the greater, Ljubljana aims to become the first global center to accept payments in cryptocurrencies.

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar recently visited the commercial area and bought himself a coffee by paying with bitcoin to promote the company.

Cerar said during the year:

"The government is aware of Slovenia's involvement in global flows, and with our vision of modernizing and promoting digitalisation in all areas, we must put forward the introduction of new technologies. We therefore recognize Blockchain technology as an exceptional opportunity: in this respect, Slovenia is at the forefront and one of the most recognized Blockchain destinations in Europe. "

The payment system using cryptocurrencies is available to all merchants thanks to Eligma which made it possible.

"The purpose of his visit was to open the Beyond 4.0 international conference, dedicated to the digital society and Blockchain, as well as to become familiar with BTC City's strategy to become a Bitcoin city ," the company said.

Note also that Slovenia is one of the countries where capital gains from cryptocurrencies are not taxed.

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