One of the smallest European countries is thinking big. The country’s largest shopping center, also known as BTC City, will start accepting cryptocurrencies payments.
Every store and venture within the mall will accept cryptocurrency and operate via blockchain technology. The 475 000 square meter complex, located in the capital, Ljubljana, houses over 500 retail stores. The fintech startup Eligma is spearheading the new Bitcoin approach for the center.
The startup’s cryptocurrency transaction system, Elipay, is being installed in several stores. Several one-way cryptocurrency automated teller machines are being installed throughout the premises, along with the Blockchain Thing Tank and what executives call the biggest crypto mining rig in Slovenia.
Prime Minister Miro Cerar recently visited the shopping center, where he was treated to a cup of coffee (purchased with cryptocurrency by State Secretary Tadej Slapnik). “The purpose of his visit was to open the Beyond 4.0 international conference, dedicated to digital society and blockchain, and to get acquainted with BTC City’s strategy to become a Bitcoin City,” said BTC City representatives.
Executives of the BTC City expressed, in an interview with Bitcoin Magazine, their hope that Bitcoin City will give rise to new businesses that push the cryptocurrency space into mainstream territory and lead further blockchain developments.
Picture: Eligma