Binance Pay has partnered with French fintech Lyzi to enable over 80 businesses across the French Riviera to embrace cryptocurrency payments, according to a Wednesday press release.
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, also known as the Côte d’Azur, is a popular tourist destination.
The partnership gives visitors and locals 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 incurring gas fees. Meanwhile, merchants benefit from immediate euro settlement through the system’s integration, the press release said.
Related: Bhutan embraces crypto payments despite connectivity gaps
Cannes leads push for crypto adoption
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.
“A quick message to inform you that we will be encouraging and especially training Cannes merchants in the integration of cryptocurrencies for payments, as part of our Web3 strategy,” Lisnard announced via a message posted (in French) on LinkedIn.
Binance Pay said the payment system supports over 100 cryptocurrencies, including euro and US dollar-backed stablecoins, while also delivering 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,” said David Princay, CEO of Binance France.
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 running until Sunday, offering shoppers a 5 EURI (a MiCA-regulated stablecoin pegged to the euro) reward for eligible purchases of at least 20 euros in crypto.
Cointelegraph reached out to Binance for comment but had not received a response by publication.
Related: A Bitcoiner’s guide to South Africa’s Garden Route
More countries embrace crypto for tourism
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 (BTC), USDC (USDC) and BNB (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 baht without knowing crypto was used.
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