the Santa Monica City City makes history by opening official Bitcoin office. City Council unanimously votes to create pilot office in partnership with nonprofit Proof of workforce At no cost to the city.
The office has four main goals, according to a PR sent to Bitcoin Magazine: providing Bitcoin education, facilitating partnerships and conferences to grow tourism, connecting residents with jobs, and exploring sustainable Bitcoin mining powered by renewable energy in the city.
“As we embark on a journey to learn Bitcoin in Santa Monica, I am excited to see the following ideas,” said Vice Mayor Lana Negrete, who led the initiative. “Bitcoin for everyone!”
Santa Monica follows the example of El Salvador, which became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. Since then, El Salvador has opened a Bitcoin office and attracted significant Bitcoin-related investment and tourism.
By embracing bitcoin, Santa Monica hopes to replicate some of that success. The city has an annual budget of $700 million, welcomed 4.5 million visitors, and spent nearly $1 billion in 2023.
Some other recent Bitcoin developments in Santa Monica include firefighters adopting Bitcoin self-policing and city leaders visiting El Salvador to study Bitcoin adoption firsthand.
As more places like Santa Monica explore Bitcoin, it proves the growing view that cities and countries can gain an advantage by positioning themselves as Bitcoin-friendly destinations.
“The future of Santa Monica is bright orange!” said Dom Pai, founder of Proof of Workforce, who plans to create a special Bitcoin image on the Santa Monica Pier on Wednesday to celebrate the city’s new Bitcoin initiative.
