High-flying Eric Adams returned from his post-mayoralty travels to unveil the “NYC Token” on Monday, moving forward on his bizarre vow to tackle antisemitism with cryptocurrency.
Adams announced the crypto coin in Times Square, surrounded roughly a half dozen reporters curious to see what the former mayor would say in his first public appearance since leaving office not even two weeks ago.
“One focus we have on this New York City coin is to use the revenue generating to address anti-Americanism, antisemitism, to teach our children how to embrace the blockchain technology of how to run cities correctly,” Adams said.
“As Walmart is using blockchains to deal with their food chain and transparency, we know cities can run better, and by using this New York City token, this New York City token, we’re going to continue to invest in making our city a safer city.”
While the former Hizzoner was still vague on details, the broad strokes of his grand plan are essentially that profits from the “NYC Token” will go into a still-unnamed nonprofit, which will then fund groups that combat antisemitism.
Historically black colleges and universities also will somehow be involved in Adams plans, he said.
“I’ve talked about it often, I want to get on our college campuses and make sure that we start the process of having our young people appreciate our country today,” he said.
The crystal-loving, ghost-believing Adams made clear early in his first and only term that he was a devotee of the magic of cryptocurrency. He famously took his early paychecks in cryptocurrency and cultivated close ties with Bitcoin billionaire and former “The Mighty Ducks” star Brock Pierce.
Adams is one of three creators behind the “NYC Token,” he said, noting Pierce was not involved.
He said the other creators are listed on the crypto coin’s website, but the page remained blank Monday other than two slogans and a link to follow the token’s X account.
For those worried the whole venture could be a money-making scam, Adams promised he wouldn’t take a salary — at least at first.
“I’m not taking a salary at this time,” he said. “Down the line, if you take the determination of doing so, we will reveal that.”
The famous frequent-flyer-mile-collector said he had been spending his days since leaving office in Dubai and the Congo.
The jet-setter ex-mayor teased that he will be working with other countries across the globe and bringing the Big Apple’s “levels of services” abroad.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani didn’t seem too jazzed about his predecessor’s plans. When asked if he’d buy one of Adams’ crypto tokens, the new mayor had a one-word reply.
