On the 3rd of March 2022, the City of Lugano and Tether Operations Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on Plan ₿.
Lugano is the economic capital of Southern Switzerland, strategically located between the metropolitan areas of Milan and Zurich. Set in an exceptional natural context and landscape, Lugano is the ideal place for living and working. The city hosts an important financial center and vibrant pharmaceutical, commodity trading and fashion hubs and remains a sought-after tourist destination. A university town since 1996, Lugano is home to world class research institutes and infrastructure, including the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA) and the Swiss National Supercomputing Center (CSCS). Among the safest cities in the Country, Lugano offers business friendly legislation, great infrastructure and political stability typical of Switzerland, combined with a Mediterranean flair.
The Plan ₿ Foundation is a non-profit initiative launched to support the education, awareness, and responsible adoption of digital currencies and blockchain technologies. Headquartered in Lugano and chaired by the city’s mayor, Michele Foletti, the Foundation drives projects that strengthen innovation, research, and community engagement. Through partnerships with academic institutions and experts, it promotes educational programs, scholarships, and professional training in digital finance and distributed ledger technologies. Plan ₿ also organizes, hosts, and sponsors community events aimed at expanding public understanding, fostering dialogue, and growing the local and global ecosystem. By encouraging collaboration between public and private sectors, the Foundation plays a key role in making Lugano a hub of technological excellence and digital transformation.
Founded in 2014, Tether is the company behind the world’s first and most widely used stablecoin. By combining the stability of fiat currency with the benefits of blockchain technology, Tether provides fast, secure, and low-cost digital transactions globally. Committed to transparency and compliance, Tether has become a trusted leader in digital finance.
Tether also plays a vital role beyond finance. We invest in and build infrastructure across energy, data, education, AI, and human advancement. From sustainable Bitcoin mining and decentralized communication tools like Holepunch and Keet, to open AI access and neurotechnology innovation. Tether is helping shape a more connected, empowered, and decentralized world.
Lugano is a vibrant, multilingual city that combines Swiss stability with Mediterranean flair, offering a high quality of life, a strong economy, and a growing innovation ecosystem. As the economic and cultural hub of southern Switzerland, it attracts talent, entrepreneurs, and researchers from around the world. With its dynamic business environment, leading research institutions, and exceptional natural setting, Lugano is an ideal place to live and work. Learn more in the official brochure: Vivere e lavorare a Lugano.
