New York City Bets on , a Technology Most Have Discarded as Useless

In a bold move as his term winds down, outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams has rolled out a comprehensive blockchain plan for the Big Apple. This 61-page roadmap aims to explore how distributed ledger technology—best known as the backbone of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin—can transform city services. But with facing widespread skepticism outside the crypto world, is NYC swimming against the tide or leading a quiet revolution?

What’s in NYC’s New Plan?

The plan, unveiled just days before Adams hands over the reins to incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani, builds on an executive order from last October. It establishes the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology, headed by policy expert Moises Rendon. The goal? Help city agencies investigate opportunities, mitigate risks, boost public understanding of emerging tech, and coordinate efforts citywide.

Key initiatives include:

• A pilot by the Department of Environmental Protection to use for verifying asbestos certifications—ensuring tamper-proof records for public safety.
• Exploration of digital credentials, permits, licenses, and data management across agencies.
• An interagency working group to share insights.
• A new “information hub” for public education and consumer protection.
• Technical guidelines focusing on equity, privacy, data security, accessibility, and public benefit.

City Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser calls a “fast-growing technology attracting intense global interest,” tied to the surge in digital assets. The plan positions it as an emerging tool that NYC must study to “chart a responsible path forward.”

Eric Adams’ Long Love Affair with Crypto and

Adams has been a crypto evangelist since his campaign days, famously demanding his first paycheck in Bitcoin. His administration has pushed policies to make NYC a crypto hub, from tokenizing city fines to hosting crypto summits. This blockchain plan is the latest chapter, developed over 18 months amid a cooling crypto winter.

But questions linger: Will the new mayor continue this push? Contacted for comment, Mamdani’s team hasn’t responded yet. Meanwhile, the city’s tech office has been tight-lipped on details, offering only excerpts from Fraser’s letter.

in Government: Hits, Misses, and Hype

Governments worldwide have flirted with , but results are mixed. California’s DMV tokenized 42 million vehicle titles last year to cut fraud and empower owners. Rhode Island tested it for business licenses, ditching paper processes. Other pilots targeted land deeds, disaster response, digital IDs, and even historic site registries.

Yet, widespread adoption? Rare. Early mobile voting apps using were shredded by security experts. Cryptographer Joe Kiniry recently called it “nonsense” for such uses. In 2022, over 1,500 tech pros urged Congress: Blockchain facilitates few real-economy uses. They slammed its lack of transaction reversals and privacy—features essential for public systems.

“Outside of crypto, tell me a use of it. Tell me a widespread value-add that has ever delivered.” — Ed Toner, former Nebraska CIO (2021)

Professor Hilary Allen of American University echoes this: Blockchain is a performative gimmick. It promises decentralization to fight centralized power but often just swaps banks for crypto moguls. Why cling to an “inefficient, clunky database” when simple ones work better?

Why NYC is Betting Big Anyway: The Potential Upside

Despite the shade, shines in niches needing immutability and transparency. Imagine:

• Supply chain tracking: Verifying NYC’s food or construction materials provenance.
• Voting integrity: Tamper-proof records without full decentralization risks.
• Social services: Secure, verifiable aid distribution to prevent fraud.
• Real estate: Faster, fraud-resistant property transfers in a city with sky-high values.

NYC’s asbestos pilot could be a game-changer for environmental health. Broader data management might streamline bureaucracy, saving taxpayer dollars. As crypto rebounds—with Bitcoin ETFs and institutional adoption— infrastructure could position NYC as a leader in Web3 governance.

SEO tip for readers: Searching for New York blockchain initiatives or government blockchain use cases? This plan addresses real pain points like permit delays and certification fraud, potentially integrating with Ethereum or Solana for scalability.

The Skeptics’ Case: Is Truly Useless Outside Crypto?

Critics argue ’s hype outpaces utility. It’s energy-hungry (though proof-of-stake fixes this), slow for high-volume txns, and lacks human oversight for errors. Public sector needs reversibility—think mistaken welfare payments—not immutable ledgers.

Four years ago, reports noted ’s decline post-hype. Pilots fizzle; industry pushes persist. NYC’s plan doesn’t explain resource allocation for a tech dismissed by many CIOs.

What’s Next for in the Big Apple?

As Adams exits, his legacy includes positioning NYC as crypto-friendly amid federal crackdowns. The blockchain office and pilots could yield breakthroughs—or join the pile of forgotten experiments.

For blockchain enthusiasts, it’s validation: Governments are warming up. Pair this with rising DeFi, NFTs for city art, or tokenized bonds, and NYC could pioneer urban Web3.

Skeptics wait for proof. Will the asbestos pilot scale? Can the info hub educate without greenwashing hype?

One thing’s clear: In a city that never sleeps, —a technology most have discarded as useless—is getting a second wind. Stay tuned as NYC experiments unfold.

Final Thoughts: ’s Role in Modern Governance

isn’t a silver bullet, but dismissing it ignores hybrid potential. Combine it with AI, zero-knowledge proofs, and layer-2 scaling for privacy-preserving public services. NYC’s bet could inspire other cities—if it delivers measurable wins.

What do you think? Is NYC’s visionary or wasteful? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

Keywords: NYC blockchain plan, Eric Adams crypto, blockchain government adoption, digital assets policy, blockchain pilots USA

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