Miami is a candidate to become a hub for Bitcoin. The efforts of Mayor Francis Suarez, as reported by the New York Times, are moving in this direction.
In recent weeks, the mayor announced his intention to pay the salaries of city workers in bitcoin. Even taxes could be paid in bitcoin.
This made him very popular in the crypto community. His aim is to make the city of Miami not only up-to-date but also cutting edge. He told Reuters some time ago:
“I firmly believe that when and if Amazon and or Apple adopts bitcoin as a payment structure the dam will essentially break because at that point you’re talking about a very high volume of transactions being able to use bitcoin. I just wanted us to be on the cutting edge and sort of ahead of the game”.
To do this Francis Suarez is also playing a clever marketing game. This includes the rebranding of the AmericanAirlines Arena where the local NBA team, the Miami Heat, play.
American Airlines has not been a sponsor since 2009 and the FTX exchange has stepped in. It would be the first case in which a cryptocurrency company sponsors an arena.
However, notes the NYT, there is still a lack of regulation. In this respect, the mayor aims to take inspiration from what is being done in Wyoming, the American state where cryptocurrencies are well accepted.
The purpose of the mayor is clear:
“Miami will always strive to be ahead of the curve. Expanding the financial freedom of Miamians is the first step forward towards our modern economy”.
Bitcoin Conference moves from Los Angeles to Miami
The effects of this policy are beginning to be felt. The Bitcoin Conference 2021, the world’s largest event dedicated to Bitcoin, is moving from Los Angeles to Miami. The conference will take place on June 4th and 5th. The organizers say.
“We feel the move is necessary this year”.
It is no coincidence that the city that is a candidate to be the capital of cryptocurrencies has been chosen.
In any case, the event promises to be unforgettable. It will feature guests such as:
- Cynthia Lummis;
- Michael Saylor;
- Jack Dorsey;
- Chamath Palihapitiya;
- Tony Hawk;
- Nick Szabo.
And who knows, the mayor might even come to do the honours.
