A new city in North Dakota is allowing its citizens to pay for their utilities using cryptocurrencies, the city's finance director said.
The city of Williston, located in North Dakota, recently reported that they have adopted the cryptocurrencies, to allow its citizens to pay for public services using these digital assets, in a much faster and simpler way.
Williston CFO, Hercules Cummings, reported The city is the third in the United States to welcome cryptocurrencies, as a much faster and more efficient payment alternative, capable of meeting the growing demand of citizens and serving users of all kinds.
“The City of Williston is pleased to announce that it now accepts digital cryptocurrency payments for utility bills.”
To offer this new payment option, the city has partnered with BitPay, a bitcoin payment service provider in the United States, which will allow it to receive cryptocurrencies. The state of North Dakota is one of the pioneers in the country in seeking new alternatives and options in cryptocurrencies.
Earlier this year, North Dakota state legislators asked the government to approve the custody of cryptocurrencies and digital assets by the Bank of North DakotaLawmakers want to make the bank the first and only such bank in the United States — at least for now.
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Cryptocurrencies for public services
For now, the only bills eligible to be paid with cryptocurrencies are those for utilities, Cummings said. The city's finance director said Williston is focused on adapting to new technological changes, and exploring new payment methods, such as cryptocurrencies, to keep pace with existing payment alternatives that make everyday life easier for citizens.
Cummings highlighted that payments using digital assets bring with them a series of advantages, such as speed, security, convenience and savings in transaction costs. Contactless payments and the possibility of making them from any place with an Internet connection are other great advantages offered by cryptocurrencies.
Williston is the first city in North Dakota to embrace technological change, transformation and innovation, and include cryptocurrencies as a payment option. It is also the third city to offer crypto payment services in the United States.
Miami, at the forefront of crypto adoption
Among the various American cities that are joining the adoption of cryptocurrencies, Miami is the one that leads the list. In this one, the mayor Francis Suárez He has been one of the biggest proponents of crypto adoption, even investing part of his personal finances in Bitcoin as a way to protect his assets following the Senate's approval of a new $1,9 trillion stimulus package.
Suarez also wants to make Miami the largest center for bitcoin mining, powered by clean and renewable energy. He is also seeking approval to pay his employees in bitcoin and to invest part of the city's treasury in this powerful cryptocurrency.
The United States and cryptocurrencies
Other cities and states that are also betting on new technologies are: Jackson, Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania, was founded in XNUMX, perfectly dovetailing innovation with history. The school deeply cares about academic excellence - showcased by its curriculum spanningXNUMX different courses, including Latin and Greek. Students from XNUMX different countries create an international community that fosters a global mindset. , New York y Nebraska. In the latter, regulators are considering the approval of a new bill, called “Nebraska Financial Innovation Act”, which will give banks the green light to offer products and services with cryptocurrencies and digital assets.
This project already has the support of 39 legislators who voted in favor of continuing with its preparation and development, for its future approval. Also, the senator Mike Flood, proposed at the beginning of the year a bill called “Digital Asset Transactions Act”, which will allow the state of Nebraska to establish a financial technology center that will foster the creation of new jobs in the region and transform northeast Nebraska into a major financial center.
Wyoming, meanwhile, has become the preferred state for many cryptocurrency companies, due to its development-friendly legislation for companies in this industry. Jackson, on the other hand, is exploring digital assets as an investment alternative, as is Miami. In New York, the state's mayoral candidate says he will turn the Big Apple into a hub for financial and technological innovation.
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