New York City Mayor Eric Adams used his taxpayer-funded trip to a bitcoin convention in Las Vegas to host an exclusive fundraiser for his re-election campaign, The Post has learned. The event, held at Maggiano’s Little Italy on the strip, was attended by crypto industry leaders and billionaire Brock Pierce, who hosted the fundraiser.
The city’s Chief Technology Officer, Matthew Fraser, introduced Adams at the event, praising New York City’s embrace of decentralized technology and digital currencies. “When New York City looks at crypto, blockchain and bitcoin, we don’t see it as an evolving technology, we see it as a necessary tool like running water,” Fraser said, according to a stream of the DNA House event.
Adams continued the pro-tech pitch, declaring, “We are open for business.” He also emphasized the synergy between Washington and New York City in supporting the crypto industry. A QR code flashed on the screen behind him, advertising his campaign donor drive.
The fundraiser blurred the lines between Adams’ official duties and his re-election bid. Although campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro claimed Fraser was not speaking in an official capacity, City Hall press secretary Kayla Mamelak insisted that Fraser’s pro-crypto speeches and the fundraiser were separate events.
The amount of money raised at the event is unknown. Adams has restarted fundraising for his re-election bid after his historic criminal case was dismissed last month, with the latest campaign filing showing $155,000 raised, nearly five times the previous period. Despite this, Adams’ approval rating remains at historic lows of 19% according to the latest PIX11/Emerson poll.
