In a bold step to position New York City at the forefront of blockchain innovation, Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled plans to establish a digital advisory council that will help steer the city’s digital asset strategy.
Speaking at the New York City Crypto Summit on Monday, Adams emphasized the city’s commitment to leveraging blockchain technology to improve municipal services, boost the economy, and solidify New York’s standing as a global crypto hub.
“We want to use the technology of tomorrow to better serve New Yorkers today,” Adams said, pledging that the forthcoming council would play a central role in shaping policy and identifying use cases that prioritize public interest.
Though the full composition of the council remains under wraps, the mayor confirmed that a chairperson will be appointed soon, with policy recommendations expected in the coming weeks. The group will include blockchain industry leaders and digital economy experts, tasked with charting a course for responsible innovation in the city.
Adams also revealed that the city is actively exploring blockchain-based solutions for managing official records, such as birth and death certificates, citing the security and accessibility benefits of distributed ledger technology. Additionally, the administration is evaluating whether select taxes and city services could eventually be paid using cryptocurrencies.
Private sector partners, including financial services firm Figure and investment firms Traction and Scale, are already on board to support the city’s crypto-forward roadmap.
Since assuming office in January 2022, Adams has made no secret of his crypto ambitions, famously converting his first three paychecks into Bitcoin to signal his belief in digital assets. That vision is now gaining momentum beyond City Hall.
At the state level, pro-crypto sentiment is growing. Last month, Assembly member Clyde Vanel reintroduced legislation that would allow state agencies to accept cryptocurrency for taxes, fines, and fees. Vanel has also championed initiatives to study blockchain’s potential to enhance election security and protect voter data.
Meanwhile, State Senator James Sanders Jr. has proposed forming a task force to assess how digital assets could transform the broader New York economy.
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