People In Toulouse Can Now Pay For Their Bus And Metro With Crypto

Starting from March 17, 2025, Tisséo allows Toulouse residents to pay for their bus, metro, tram, and funicular tickets with crypto. This initiative, a first for a European transport network, aims to diversify payment methods and keep pace with the evolution of financial usage.

The Tisséo network accepts cryptos for ticket purchases

Since Monday, March 17, 2025, users of the Tisséo network in Toulouse have been able to purchase their metro, bus, tram, and funicular tickets with crypto.

This innovation, unprecedented for a European transport network, responds to the changing payment habits of the French. According to a study by the Gemini platform published in 2024, nearly 18% of the French already own cryptocurrencies.

Sacha Briand, in charge of finances at Tisséo, explains this initiative:

This may be 20 or 30% in two to three years. To not miss the boat and as part of a modernization effort, we are launching this payment method.

He clarifies that transactions are immediately converted: “Users will pay in cryptocurrency that is converted into fiat currency so that we receive the amount in euros.“

This novelty fits into a broader strategy of diversifying payment methods, which also includes the upcoming launch of a reloadable ticket.

Mixed reception and adoption prospects

The reactions of Toulouse users remain mixed in response to this innovation. Pointed out at the exit of the Basso-Cambo metro, Camille, a woman in her thirties, admits she does not intend to use this option immediately: “I don’t have a crypto wallet and I’m not sure it concerns many customers.“

She nonetheless draws an interesting parallel: “The bank card was marginal at its launch, and today, it is the majority!“

Patrice, a man in his sixties, expresses greater skepticism: “This seems to me like false modernity. For me, cryptocurrency is interesting for investing, but I’m not convinced it’s suitable for paying small amounts.“

This new service is part of a broader trend of cryptocurrency adoption in traditional commerce. In November 2024, the Le Printemps Haussmann store in Paris also integrated this payment method. For now, the payment in cryptocurrency on the Tisséo network is only available on Android devices.

This bold initiative positions Toulouse as a pioneer of financial innovation in public services, anticipating the growing adoption of digital assets in everyday life. If the experiment succeeds, other European transport networks could quickly follow the example of the Occitan metropolis.