Key Takeaways
- Detroit will accept Bitcoin for taxes and fees by mid-2025.
- The city is inviting blockchain innovators to improve civic services.
- The payment system will support greater access for unbanked residents.
Detroit residents will soon be able to pay taxes and city fees using Bitcoin, city officials announced.
Set to launch in mid-2025, this new payment option will make Detroit the largest U.S. city to accept Bitcoin for public services.
The system will be managed by PayPal.
Welcoming innovators
This initiative is part of Detroit’s broader strategy to incorporate innovative technologies in city services and attract entrepreneurs to create solutions that improve civic functions.
Mayor Mike Duggan emphasized Detroit’s commitment to becoming a tech-friendly city, stating:
We are excited to be one of the first major U.S. cities to explore blockchain applications in civic services.
The city has invited entrepreneurs to pitch projects, particularly those enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency in public service.
Expanding access
Detroit’s Treasurer Nikhil Patel noted that the Bitcoin option will enhance accessibility for residents, especially those who are unbanked, while modernizing payment channels.
Additionally, Justin Onwenu, Detroit’s Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity, highlighted the city’s openness to new ideas, calling Bitcoin a potential driver of “greater accessibility, efficiency, transparency, and security.”
