New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced plans to launch a Bitcoin bond and has renewed his efforts to eliminate the BitLicense program. Adams revealed the proposal at the Bitcoin 2025 conference while highlighting his administration’s goal to attract more digital asset investments. The mayor emphasized the need for New York City to embrace Bitcoin bond initiatives to enhance its role in the evolving financial market.
Eric Adams Pushes for a Municipal Bitcoin Bond in NYC
Mayor Adams pledged support for a Bitcoin bond that would allow investors to back city projects using Bitcoin. He said this financial instrument could enable Bitcoin holders to invest in the city while benefiting from digital asset gains. His office is working on frameworks to integrate Bitcoin-backed bonds into the city’s broader financial planning.
This initiative aims to position New York City as a leader in municipal crypto finance and appeal to Bitcoin investors. While Adams did not specify structural details, he acknowledged existing models proposed by industry groups such as the Bitcoin Policy Institute. That model suggests bondholders would receive a fixed annual return and a share of Bitcoin market profits upon maturity.
HUGE BREAKING: NEW YORK CITY MAYOR SAYS HE WILL BE THE 1st CITY IN THE WORLD TO ISSUE A #BITCOIN BOND
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS BACKED BY BTC ARE COMING. MASSIVE 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/rlr1ISTn34
— The Bitcoin Historian (@pete_rizzo_) May 28, 2025
Under the proposed plan, 90% of bond proceeds would fund government initiatives, while 10% would go into Bitcoin purchases. This structure could help diversify the city’s financial instruments and give investors new tools for participation. Adams sees the Bitcoin bond as a pivotal strategy for innovation in public finance.

Adams Renews Call to Eliminate New York’s BitLicense
Alongside his Bitcoin bond proposal, Eric Adams again demanded the repeal of the BitLicense program that regulates cryptocurrency companies in New York State. The regulatory structure is encumbering innovation, and crypto firms are scared away from operating in the city, he argued. The mayor said a more flexible and business-friendly framework was needed.

Under the 2015-created BitLicense, the state’s crypto businesses need to get authorisation from the state’s Department of Financial Services. Eric Adams and others criticize it as imposing high costs, overreaching compliance demands, and dampening competitiveness. Several other industry voices have expressed similar concerns over restrictions in the program.
Eric Adams stated that removing the BitLicense would help free up Bitcoin transactions in the city. He thinks this will bring blockchain and crypto startups, who need regulatory clarity and support, to the table. He is pushing his administration to convince the legislature to drop red tape and create new investment vehicles.
Eric Adams Announces Support From Private Sector on Crypto Efforts
To accelerate the city’s digital transformation, Adams also announced partnerships with private financial firms during the New York City Crypto Summit. Companies such as Figure, Traction, and Scale will assist in designing crypto strategies, including Bitcoin bond implementation. These collaborations are intended to build the necessary infrastructure and ensure smooth execution.
The mayor also introduced a Digital Advisory Council to lead planning and investment strategies for blockchain integration in city operations. This council will guide policy development, oversee public-private cooperation, and advise on crypto bond management. It will also support workforce development and economic growth related to crypto.
These partnerships are part of Eric Adams’ larger vision to create a crypto-friendly business environment in New York. He has consistently promoted digital finance as a key to economic innovation. The support from the private sector underlines the city’s commitment to leading digital finance in the U.S.
FAQs
What is a Bitcoin bond?
A Bitcoin bond is a financial instrument that allows investors to back projects using Bitcoin and gain returns over time.
How would New York’s proposed Bitcoin bond work?
It would offer a fixed annual interest rate and provide gains tied to Bitcoin’s market value after 10 years.
What is the purpose of launching a Bitcoin bond?
The goal is to diversify city investment tools and attract crypto investors to public infrastructure and development projects.
Why does Mayor Eric Adams want to repeal the BitLicense?
He believes it restricts crypto innovation due to high fees and strict compliance standards that deter businesses.
Who is supporting New York’s crypto initiatives?
Private companies like Figure, Traction, and Scale have joined efforts to help design and implement the city’s crypto policies.
Glossary of Key Terms
Bitcoin bond: A bond backed by Bitcoin, offering returns based on interest rates and digital asset performance.
BitLicense: A regulatory framework for crypto businesses operating in New York State.
Digital Advisory Council: A newly formed council that will oversee New York City’s crypto strategies and policies.
Municipal bond: A debt security issued by a city to finance public projects.
Bitcoin Policy Institute: An advocacy group proposing policies and models for integrating Bitcoin into public finance.
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