He pitched the idea at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, in the UK, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced the party will accept crypto donations and introduced a pro-crypto agenda, including a potential Bitcoin reserve at the Bank of England. In Kazakhstan, President Tokayev revealed plans for “CryptoCity,” which is a regulated zone where crypto can be used for everyday purchases. The city of Alatau, known for its tech heritage, is the leading candidate to host the initiative. Overall, Panama, the UK, and Kazakhstan are each making bold moves toward deeper crypto integration.
Bitcoin Could Let Cargo Ships Skip the Line
Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi proposed a bold new idea to integrate Bitcoin into one of the world's most vital shipping routes—the Panama Canal. At the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas on May 29, Mizrachi floated the concept of allowing cargo ships to pay in Bitcoin to receive expedited passage through the canal.
He was joined by El Salvador Bitcoin advocates Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert, and the talk was moderated by Mike Peterson of Bitcoin Beach. Mizrachi suggested that Bitcoin payments could offer ships the perk of bypassing the long queue times that are often associated with the canal.
The Panama Canal is a crucial man-made waterway linking the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, and it facilitates about 5% of global maritime trade annually. It even generated $5 billion in revenue between October of 2023 and September of 2024. Over 423 million tons of goods passed through the canal in that period via nearly 10,000 transits.
Panama Canal
Mizrachi’s idea was floated even as the canal remains a politically charged issue, especially after President Donald Trump’s December 2024 call to reclaim US control of the canal over concerns about Chinese influence and alleged discrimination against US vessels.
Panama is a crypto-forward nation, following in El Salvador’s footsteps. Mizrachi’s administration already made strides, including passing a measure to allow cryptocurrency for public payments like taxes, fines, and municipal fees. Mizrachi is also exploring the possibility of creating a Bitcoin reserve for Panama City, which he believes could be implemented without needing any legislative approval.
Additionally, Mizrachi called on Panama’s lawmakers to take a laissez-faire approach to regulating cryptocurrency. He urged them to “not touch it,” and argued that the government should first let Bitcoin function organically and then determine the appropriate policy response—whether to restrict or promote it.
He specifically referred to figures suggesting Panama sees over $5 billion in annual Bitcoin transactions, although much of it reportedly happens in the shadows due to fear and uncertainty around regulation. His vision is unfolding against the backdrop of domestic unrest, as Panama recently declared a state of emergency in Bocas del Toro after mass layoffs at banana giant Chiquita Brands, which claims to have suffered over $75 million in losses due to protests and blockades demanding better social protections.
Mizrachi’s plans look like an attempt to both modernize Panama’s financial infrastructure and ease the country’s economic tension through bold, decentralized strategies, and Bitcoin could very likely play a central role in that future.
Reform UK Now Accepts Crypto Donations
Other countries are also finding new ways to utilize cryptocurrencies. Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK political party, announced that the party is now accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for donations, becoming the first major UK political group to do so.
Farage also spoke at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, and said that Reform UK will use the Radom platform to facilitate crypto donations from eligible contributors. This move places Reform ahead of both the Conservative and Labour parties, which currently dominate the UK’s House of Commons but have yet to embrace crypto contributions.
Nigel Farage
Farage said, “We’re way behind you in America, but as of now, people with Bitcoin can give us money provided they’re eligible.” His appearance at the conference also touched on personal experiences with being debanked in the UK in 2023, which he said proved the need for alternative financial systems.
In addition to introducing crypto donations, Farage laid out a vision for digital assets in the UK, including a proposed “Cryptoassets and Digital Finance Bill” that Reform will push if it secures government control in the general election expected before August of 2029. While Reform UK currently holds only five seats in the House of Commons compared to Labour’s 403 and the Conservatives’ 120, Farage’s comments shed some light on the desire to position the party as a crypto-friendly alternative.
Nigel Farage at Bitcoin 2025
Farage also advocated for the creation of a Bitcoin reserve held by the Bank of England and voiced strong opposition to the launch of a UK central bank digital currency (CBDC). He praised President Donald Trump’s stance on crypto and agreed with sentiments aligned with US pro-crypto conservatives.
He pointed out that crypto ownership is widespread in the UK, and even claimed that seven million people hold digital assets, including one in four individuals under the age of 30. While the current Labour-led government proposed a framework to treat crypto exchanges and dealers similarly to traditional financial institutions, Farage’s approach suggests a more aggressive path toward national adoption and reserve integration.
Kazakhstan Plans CryptoCity Pilot
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is preparing to launch “CryptoCity,” which is a pilot zone designed to allow the use of cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions. This is according to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
At the Astana International Forum 2025, Tokayev announced the government’s plan to create a regulated sandbox environment where digital assets could be used for purchasing goods, services, and potentially more. A transcript of his remarks was published on the official website of the presidency on May 29.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
The initiative is a bold step in Kazakhstan’s plan to embrace digital innovation. The country recently made several moves in the crypto space, including piloting a CBDC that reportedly helped reduce wait times for value-added tax refunds. Kanysh Tuleushin, Kazakhstan’s first vice minister of digital development, publicly stated that the country has the potential to become a leading crypto hub in Central Asia, especially if regulatory hurdles are reduced.
While the government is still finalizing the location for the CryptoCity pilot, Digital Development Minister Zhaslan Madiyev said the new city of Alatau is the most likely candidate. It is located near Kazakhstan’s southeastern border, and has a strong scientific and technological legacy. It was founded in 1957 to house scientific institutions and is home to the Institute of Nuclear Physics, the National Nuclear Center, and the Physics and Technology Institute.
Alatau also hosts the Innovation Technology Park, which is a special economic zone that could complement the CryptoCity concept by drawing in tech-focused investment. Madiyev explained that the city would support broad crypto utility, with residents able to use digital assets for purchases in restaurants and cafes, real estate transactions, and investments.
