Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, has officially claimed the title of the world’s most crypto-friendly city, edging out heavyweight hubs like Hong Kong and Zurich, according to a new report by advisory firm Multipolitan.
How Ljubljana Took the Top Spot
The Crypto-Friendly Cities Index evaluated 20 cities using a mix of regulatory, financial, and lifestyle metrics. These included:
- Crypto regulation and licensing frameworks
- Capital gains tax rates
- GDP per capita and housing affordability
- Internet speeds and digital infrastructure
- Presence of crypto ATMs
- Retail crypto adoption rates
Ljubljana scored top marks, particularly for its embedded crypto culture. Multipolitan highlighted the city’s strong adoption rates and widespread access to crypto services, reflecting deep integration of cryptocurrency into everyday life.
Global Rankings and Notable Mentions
Ljubljana outperformed a mix of global tech and financial centers:
- Tied for 2nd: Hong Kong and Zurich
- 4th: Singapore
- 5th: Abu Dhabi
- 10th: Sydney, Australia
- 11th (tie): Madison (USA), Riga (Latvia), Doha (Qatar), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
Interestingly, Madison, Wisconsin, was the only city from the Americas to appear in the top half of the index.
Crypto Wealth: Slovenia Also Tops Ownership Rankings
Slovenia also led the Crypto Wealth Concentration Index, which combines ownership rates and trading volumes. The average Slovenian crypto holder reportedly holds about $240,500 in digital assets. In comparison:
- Cyprus: $175,000
- Hong Kong: $97,500
- United States: $23,300 (ranked 17th)
This financial snapshot reflects Slovenia’s strong grassroots interest in crypto, aided by the supportive regulatory environment under the EU’s MiCA framework.
Ljubljana is also home to Blockchain Alliance Europe and hosts companies like Blocksquare, which recently announced a major initiative to tokenize $1 billion worth of U.S. real estate in partnership with Vera Capital. These moves further cement its role as a rising star in the blockchain and crypto world.
