NYC’s next mayor, Eric Adams, vows to take first three paychecks in bitcoin

New York City mayor-elect Eric Adams is making it clear what kind of politician he’ll be - and says he has grand plans to make the Big Apple a crypto-friendly city.

Adams, who won the city’s mayoral election on Tuesday, beating out his Republican opponent Curtis Sliwa, promised to take his first three paychecks in bitcoin.

“In New York we always go big, so I’m going to take my first THREE paychecks in Bitcoin when I become mayor,” Adams wrote in a tweet on Thursday.

He added: “NYC is going to be the center of the cryptocurrency industry and other fast-growing, innovative industries! Just wait!”

Adams’ tweet was a direct reply to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who had shared that he would be taking his next paycheck “100% in bitcoin.” The competitive response from the future NYC mayor isn’t the first time he’s attempted to one-up the Suarez.

Since winning office, Adams has begun an unofficial friendly battle with Suarez over who can transform their respective cities into crypto capitals of the country.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg Radio a day after declaring victory, Adams said he had taken note of the crypto hub that has been growing in Miami and promised he wouldn’t allow for New York to fall behind.

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He also expressed interest in exploring a city coin in the same way Miami has achieved with its MiamiCoin.

“He has a MiamiCoin that is doing very well — we’re going to look in the direction to carry that out,” Adams said.

He added that he also has the intention of looking more closely into “what’s preventing the growth of bitcoin and cryptocurrency in our city.”

In response to Adams’s tweet, Suarez followed up to congratulate him on his big win.

“Touché…congrats on the election and I look forward to the friendly competition in making our respective cities a crypto capital!”