NYC mayor establishes digital assets and blockchain office

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the establishment of a municipal digital assets and blockchain office in a bid to cement his crypto agenda in the final months of his term.

In a Tuesday notice from the mayor’s office, Adams said he had used an executive order under his authority to create the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology. Moises Rendon, who has worked as a digital assets and blockchain policy adviser for New York City since April 2024, will head the newly established office.

“Our city has always been the center of innovation, and we’re embracing the technologies of tomorrow today,” said Adams. “The age of digital assets is here, and with it comes the chance to grow our economy, attract world-class talent, expand opportunities for underbanked communities, and make government more user-friendly.”

Executive order from New York City Mayor Eric Adams setting up the “Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology.” Source: NYC.gov

Adams rose to prominence for many in the crypto industry after offering to accept his first three paychecks in Bitcoin (BTC) while running for mayor in 2021. During his time as mayor, he has established a digital advisory council, called for the city to create BTC-backed bonds, and criticized New York’s BitLicense program as being too strict. 

The NYC mayor announced in September that he would not run for reelection after initially campaigning as a Democrat and then as an Independent. His current term ends on Jan. 1, 2026.

Related: Top NY regulator updates crypto guidance after announcing departure

According to Adams, the office would develop “strategies to strengthen the city’s role” as a cryptocurrency hub, including advising the mayor on policies and legislation. It will also coordinate with the city’s office of technology and innovation and report directly to New York City’s chief technology officer, Matthew Fraser.

Crypto industry leaders eyeing NYC mayoral race

With Adams expected to depart the mayor’s office in less than three months, many industry executives, including Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss, have floated the possibility of “get[ting] involved” in the 2025 election, either through personal or financial support.

Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 4 and likely decide between the two frontrunners: independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani. Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, has been trailing Cuomo and Mamdani in many polls.