With New York’s first crypto summit just days away, Mayor Eric Adams is making it clear: the city is positioning itself as a global epicenter for blockchain development.
At a press briefing held at Gracie Mansion, Adams emphasized that New York’s approach to digital assets is rooted in long-term vision, not viral hype. He noted the transformational potential of blockchain in solving real-world problems—especially for marginalized communities locked out of traditional banking systems.
“We’re building something lasting,” Adams said, pointing to blockchain’s capacity to expand financial inclusion in a city where too many residents still lack access to basic financial services.
Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser joined Adams at the briefing and highlighted how blockchain could also enhance city infrastructure by making critical services like access to public records more secure and equitable.
The upcoming summit on May 20 is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, policy leaders, and developers, aiming to shape a strategic roadmap for New York’s emerging crypto sector. Adams described it as an opportunity to cultivate collaboration and turn the city into a launchpad for the next wave of fintech innovation.
Renewing his call for blockchain businesses to make New York their home, Adams said, “This city is open to bold ideas. If you’re building in Web3, we want you here.”
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has spotlighted a significant acceleration in institutional crypto adoption, driven largely by the surging popularity of exchange-traded funds and increased use of Coinbase Prime among major corporations.
Jefferies chief market strategist David Zervos believes an upcoming power shift at the Federal Reserve could benefit U.S. equity markets.
Anchorage Digital, a federally chartered crypto custody bank, is urging its institutional clients to move away from major stablecoins like USDC, Agora USD (AUSD), and Usual USD (USD0), recommending instead a shift to the Global Dollar (USDG) — a stablecoin issued by Paxos and backed by a consortium that includes Anchorage itself.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has voiced concerns over the rise of zero-knowledge (ZK) digital identity projects, specifically warning that systems like World — formerly Worldcoin and backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman — could undermine pseudonymity in the digital world.