NYC Mayor Establishes Blockchain Office in Final Term Push

In a bold move signaling crypto's political coming-of-age, New York's outgoing mayor just launched a dedicated blockchain division during his administration's final days.

The Legacy Play

While critics call it eleventh-hour grandstanding, the creation of this specialized office represents the most significant municipal blockchain endorsement to date. City Hall claims it's about future-proofing New York's financial dominance—though skeptics note it's easier to announce visionary projects than actually implement them.

Institutional Momentum

The timing couldn't be more symbolic. As federal regulators continue their cautious dance around digital assets, America's financial capital is planting its flag squarely in crypto territory. The move creates immediate infrastructure for blockchain businesses while sending a clear message to Washington: cities aren't waiting for federal permission slips.

Wall Street's New Frontier

Traditional finance giants might pretend to ignore crypto, but they're watching municipal moves like this closely. After all, nothing motivates bankers faster than the fear of missing out—except maybe the fear of being disrupted into irrelevance.

En bref

• The mayor of New York City has created the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology, a first in the United States.
• Moises Rendon, a blockchain policy advisor since 2024, will head up this new structure.
• Adams will step down in January 2026 after abandoning his re-election campaign last September.
• This office aims to attract crypto investment and make New York “the global capital of digital assets.”

New York launches a blockchain office, a first in the United States

Eric Adams signed executive order No. 57 on Tuesday, giving birth to the Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology Office. 

This structure, directly attached to the mayor’s office, will be led by Moises Rendon, a former blockchain policy advisor who has worked at the Office of Innovation and Technology since 2024.

“Our Digital Assets and Blockchain Office, a national first, will help make us the global capital of digital assets“, Adams said on X. 

The goal is clear: to attract talent and capital from the crypto industry to the Big Apple. To achieve this, the office will first create a commission of digital asset leaders to guide its work.

This initiative follows the launch of a digital assets council last May. At the time, Adams had also mentioned using blockchain to manage birth and death certificates. He even called for the abolition of the controversial BitLicense, the New York regulation known for its excessive rigor.

The timing of this announcement is striking. Adams had in fact abandoned his re-election campaign at the end of September, citing “media speculation” and the blocking of millions of dollars by the campaign finance board. His legal troubles and the tense political climate had made his candidacy “untenable.”

An uncertain legacy for the “Bitcoin Mayor”

Adams had built a reputation as a fervent Bitcoin advocate since 2022, accepting his first salaries in bitcoin and Ethereum.

With the price surge since then, he did not fail to mock skeptics: “Who’s laughing now?” This stance earned him the nickname “Bitcoin Mayor,” which he bore as a banner throughout his term.

But the future of this pro-crypto policy remains uncertain. According to prediction markets like Polymarket, Zohran Mamdani has about an 88% chance of winning the November election. 

Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor running as an independent, is in second place with a 10% chance. Neither has displayed the same enthusiasm for cryptocurrencies as Adams.

The city controller, Brad Lander, had labeled some of Adams’ proposals, notably the idea of a bitcoin bond for New York, as “legally dubious and fiscally irresponsible.” This opposition illustrates the persistent divide within the municipal administration on these issues.

In short, New York equips itself with an industrial policy tool for the crypto era. If the next administration maintains the momentum, the office could become a driver of jobs, capital attraction, and useful innovation. For Bitcoin and tokenized finance, New York clarity could tip the balance… beyond the symbol.

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our "Read to Earn" program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.