More countries are exploring how to use cryptocurrency in daily life all the time. For travelers, this means that, some day, you may not need to rely only on cash or cards when visiting new places. Some countries have tried to make Bitcoin an official currency. Others allow shops and hotels to accept crypto payments. But very few have built a complete system that works from airport to souvenir stand. Right now, Bhutan stands out as the best example of how crypto payments can work smoothly for tourists.
El Salvador Made Bitcoin Legal, Then Pulled Back
In 2021, El Salvador became the first country in the world to make Bitcoin legal tender. The goal was to help people who do not have bank accounts and to attract crypto-focused tourists. The government launched an app called Chivo Wallet so people could send and receive Bitcoin easily.
Some places, like El Zonte (known as Bitcoin Beach), became popular for crypto payments. Tourists could pay for surf lessons, hotel stays, or food using Bitcoin. But, studies later showed that real use stayed very low. By 2024, surveys from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that only about 8% of all payments were in Bitcoin. Many shops quietly stopped accepting it because Bitcoin’s price fluctuated too much and the network sometimes failed.
In early 2025, El Salvador agreed with the International Monetary Fund to remove Bitcoin’s legal status in the country. The IMF warned that Bitcoin’s swings in price made the country’s debt risk higher and hurt international loan deals. Subsequently, Bitcoin is no longer official money there. Some businesses in tourist spots still accept BTC, but travelers must check first.
Central African Republic Has a Law — But Not Much Else
The Central African Republic (CAR) followed El Salvador’s lead in 2022 and made Bitcoin legal tender. Leaders said crypto could help people move money without needing banks. But on the ground, life is very different.
The CAR has some of the lowest internet access rates in the world — less than 10% of people have steady connections. Many live in villages without stable electricity. This makes it very hard to use digital wallets or QR payments.
There is no proof of a working national system for crypto tourists in CAR. Most hotels, restaurants, or shops are not set up for crypto payments. For now, tourists still use cash or bank transfers when they visit.
Bhutan Bets Big on Crypto Payments for Tourism
Bhutan is a small kingdom in the Himalayas known for its forests, monasteries, and a focus on Gross National Happiness. It wants tourists to stay longer and spend more on local services. But, many visitors have struggled with payments in the past. Credit cards often bring high fees, and international bank transfers can be slow.
To fix this, Bhutan partnered with Binance, one of the world’s biggest crypto companies. In May 2025, at the Digital Bhutan panel, the government announced the launch of a national crypto payments system using Binance Pay.
Binance CEO Richard Teng called it the first national crypto payments system in the world.
The average crypto tourist spends $1,000 — nearly three times a regular tourist — and merchants receive instant settlements.
Teng said during the panel.
How Crypto Payments Works on the Ground in Bhutan
Today, more than 1,000 merchants in Bhutan’s main tourist cities and valleys already accept Binance Pay. This covers most large hotels, tour operators, souvenir shops, restaurants, and grocery stores in places like Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha. Remote mountain villages still mostly use cash, because internet and phone coverage can be weaker there.
Tourists can pay with Bitcoin, Binance Coin (BNB), stablecoins like USDT and USDC, or other supported coins. Payments happen instantly with zero fees — which is a big difference compared to bank cards, which often charge high processing costs.
Bhutan’s DK Bank plays a key role. The state-owned bank mined Bitcoin with clean hydropower long before crypto was mainstream. Now it settles crypto payments in real time. “Mobile and QR payments are already high,” said Ugyen Tenzin, CEO of DK Bank. “Crypto just fits,” he added.
Bhutan’s crypto plans are not limited to tourism. The country has announced the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a huge project launched in December 2023. It will cover about 2,500 square kilometers — nearly three times the size of Singapore — and will blend technology, culture, and sustainability.
Hobeng Lim, managing director of finance for Gelephu, said crypto is a core part of the plan. “This is just the start,” Lim said at the Digital Bhutan panel. “Crypto is not a side experiment. It’s a core industry.” Construction will roll out in phases over the next two decades, with more blockchain-native projects planned to help Bhutan’s economy grow in a sustainable way.
Other countries are crypto-friendly too. Portugal does not tax crypto profits if you hold coins for over a year and has many cafés and shops that accept Bitcoin. Switzerland’s Zug region, called Crypto Valley, lets residents pay some local taxes in Bitcoin. Cities like Lugano have even more shops and restaurants that accept crypto. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates also has luxury hotels and brands where visitors can pay in crypto.