New York City Mayor Eric Adams has signed Executive Order 57, creating the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain, the first-ever municipal agency in the United States dedicated to cryptocurrency and blockchain innovation.
The new office aims to position New York City as the world’s capital of digital assets, promoting responsible innovation, attracting global talent, and expanding financial access for underserved communities. Moises Rendon has been appointed as the office’s first executive director and will assemble an advisory commission of blockchain leaders to guide the agency’s work.
A New Era for Blockchain in NYC
“From day one, our administration has kept New York City ahead of the curve,” said Mayor Adams, who famously converted his first three paychecks into cryptocurrency in 2022. “With the nation’s first mayoral agency focused solely on digital assets and blockchain technology, we’re signaling the enormous opportunities this technology brings to our city.”
The office will collaborate closely with the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) and coordinate efforts across agencies to align digital asset initiatives, policy frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
Driving Economic Growth and Financial Inclusion
The Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain will focus on:
- Encouraging innovation and responsible crypto development in New York’s financial ecosystem.
- Building public-private bridges between blockchain companies and government agencies.
- Engaging federal and state partners to promote pro-innovation policies.
- Expanding financial access for underbanked and unbanked residents through blockchain-based solutions.
- Educating citizens on crypto risks, scams, and fraud prevention.
City officials, including Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser, said the initiative reaffirms New York’s position as a global fintech leader. “This office ensures we’re partnering with the brightest minds across the fintech sphere and empowering city agencies to harness blockchain’s transformative potential,” Fraser said.
“The Future Is Now”
Executive Director Moises Rendon called the creation of the office “proof that the future is now for digital assets in New York City.” He pledged to ensure the city’s adoption of blockchain remains transparent, accessible, and responsible.
By establishing the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain, New York City aims to cement its leadership in the global digital economy while ensuring innovation benefits all New Yorkers through inclusion, education, and opportunity.