NYC May Bolster Crypto, Including Bitcoin, With New Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain

• First-in-the-nation municipal office dedicated to digital assets and blockchain.

• Led by the NYC Chief Technology Officer with Executive Director Moises Rendon managing operations.

• Focus areas include policy coordination, public education, financial inclusion, and collaboration with private-sector partners.

New York City’s Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain launches to centralize crypto policy, education, and investment—read leadership, goals, and next steps.

Published: Oct 15, 2025 | Updated: Oct 15, 2025 | Author: COINOTAG

What is New York City’s Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain?

New York City’s Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain is a municipal agency created by Executive Order 57 to centralize citywide efforts on digital assets, blockchain technology, and related policy. The office will coordinate across municipal agencies, lead public education initiatives, and attract investment to support equitable economic growth.

How will the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain operate and who will lead it?

The office will operate under the mayor’s administration and work closely with the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation. The city’s Chief Technology Officer, Matt Fraser, will oversee the initiative, while Moises Rendon has been appointed executive director to run day-to-day operations and assemble an expert advisory commission. Mayor Eric Adams described the move as part of a broader strategy to make New York a global capital of digital assets: “Our first-in-the-nation Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain will help make us the global capital of digital assets.” Rendon called the appointment a “historic moment for New York City” and said the office will prioritize public safety, privacy, and equitable access to new financial tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will lead and staff New York City’s Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain?

The office will be overseen by NYC Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser with Moises Rendon serving as executive director. Rendon will recruit a commission of experts from government, academia, and industry to advise on policy, operational pilots, and public education programs focused on digital assets and blockchain.

When was the office created and what immediate actions will it take?

The office was established by Executive Order 57 and announced in October 2025. Initial actions include forming an expert advisory commission, coordinating blockchain pilots across agencies, launching public education campaigns on digital-asset safety, and engaging private-sector and community stakeholders to identify investment and workforce opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• Municipal leadership: The office establishes New York City as the first U.S. municipality with a dedicated digital-asset and blockchain unit.
• Public education and safety: A central focus will be on teaching New Yorkers to protect wallets, recognize scams, and access digital finance responsibly.
• Economic opportunity: The office aims to attract investment, support SMEs with faster payments and services, and promote financial inclusion across underserved communities.

Context and implications for policy and the local economy

The Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain is designed to bridge municipal services with an evolving private sector. By coordinating pilots and policy across agencies, the city aims to test blockchain applications for secure records, streamlined payments, and improved public information access. Official city statements and the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation outline goals to draw talent, foster partnerships, and ensure robust consumer protections. The move follows increased municipal interest in fintech innovation and complements workforce development programs intended to broaden participation in the digital-economy labor market.

Political context and recent developments

The announcement arrives amid Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to end his re-election campaign. Public opinion polls—reported by local outlets and cited in public statements—indicated Adams trailed other candidates in the mayoral race prior to the November election. City leadership framed the new office as long-term institutional infrastructure intended to outlast political cycles and to create durable pathways for industry engagement and resident protection.

Additional operational details and expert perspectives

Moises Rendon, who has served in the Office of Technology and Innovation since 2024, will convene a commission of experts to advise on regulatory design, public education, and technology pilots. Experts consulted in public briefings emphasized the importance of measurable guardrails, independent evaluation of pilots, and close coordination with financial regulators and consumer-protection bodies. The city plans public outreach campaigns to explain the risks and benefits of digital assets and to support residents in building secure digital practices.

How will the office measure success?

Success metrics cited by city officials include the number of pilot programs deployed, levels of private investment attracted to the city, measurable improvements in resident awareness of digital-asset risks, and demonstrable increases in access to financial services for underserved communities. The advisory commission will recommend evaluation frameworks and reporting cadence to ensure transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

The creation of New York City’s Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain represents a formal municipal commitment to governing and promoting blockchain and digital-asset activity with an emphasis on safety, inclusion, and economic opportunity. With leadership from the CTO’s office and Executive Director Moises Rendon, the office will coordinate pilots, public education, and industry engagement. COINOTAG will continue to monitor official city releases and commission recommendations as the office implements its first initiatives; readers should watch for follow-up reports on pilot results and public outreach programs.