Cuomo Pledges Crypto Innovation With New NYC Tech Role
- Cuomo’s proposal focuses on a Chief Innovation Officer to advance crypto policy.
- Eric Adams’ departure leaves Andrew Cuomo as the only candidate with a tech platform.
- Andrew Cuomo’s past involvements with OKX add scrutiny to his regulatory experience.
Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor now running as an independent for mayor of New York City, has unveiled plans to create a Chief Innovation Officer if elected in November 2025. He announced the proposal on Sunday in New York, positioning the role to oversee blockchain, crypto, artificial intelligence and biotechnology strategies across the city. This comes as the current mayor, Eric Adams, prepares to leave office on January 1, 2026 and as frontrunner Zohran Mamdani maintains a polling lead.
Innovation Role Designed for Citywide Coordination
Cuomo said the Chief Innovation Officer would serve as a senior administration figure tasked with attracting investment, creating jobs and updating public services through new technologies.
He stated that the next city leader must ensure New York competes in the sectors influencing the next century. The role would coordinate across agencies to integrate technology into existing systems.
To support the position, Cuomo plans to form an Innovation Council made up of leaders in blockchain, AI and biotech. The council would continue working with the appointee after selection.
The group would also advise on consumer protection and policy development. It noted that outdated regulations could be replaced by modern frameworks designed to encourage responsible development.
Political Tech Sector
Eric Adams had promoted crypto adoption during his term and recently established the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology. He appointed Moises Rendon, a crypto policy specialist, to direct the office.
His withdrawal from the mayoral race last month, citing financial strain, has left Cuomo as the only candidate with a defined crypto platform. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner, has not taken a clear position on blockchain or digital assets.
Some figures in the crypto market, including Tyler Winklevoss and David Sacks, have criticized the direction of New York politics as the race changes. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa remains in the field, but polling data reported by the New York Times places Mamdani ahead.
Related: Fed Set to Host Crypto Payments Innovation Summit Tomorrow
Cuomo’s Past Industry Ties
Cuomo’s history with the crypto sector has resurfaced as part of the campaign narrative. He previously advised Seychelles-based exchange OKX during a federal investigation that resulted in a $504 million settlement.
Bloomberg reported in April that he consulted the company on legal strategy and policy coordination. He also reportedly encouraged OKX to hire Linda Lacewell, a former New York financial regulator and ally, who now serves as its chief legal officer.
Supporters argue that the experience gives Cuomo knowledge of how digital asset regulation functions in complex jurisdictions. Critics have questioned the optics of his involvement with a firm that faced federal scrutiny.
His spokesperson has said he did not represent clients before any state or city agency and often recommends qualified associates for industry roles. Cuomo’s campaign says the city could increase collaboration between traditional finance and crypto under improved policies.
Wall Street’s scale, with exchanges such as Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange, continues to make the city a focal point for both venture capital and financial regulation. However, the political environment will depend on who wins on November 4, 2025.
Keith Grossman, president of MoonPay, said Cuomo’s experience in government could help manage the scale of New York’s workforce and public sector, though he acknowledged that few leaders avoid controversy.
His remarks focused on administrative capability rather than policy endorsement. Cuomo has framed his proposal as a step to keep New York competitive rather than a campaign promise made for one sector.
Eleanor Terrett reported that the Chief Innovation Officer would work on workforce development and technology adoption across multiple industries. The Innovation Council would look at cutting bureaucratic hurdles together with regulatory oversight.
Meanwhile, Cuomo’s plan places crypto, AI and biotechnology under one administrative strategy led by a new city official. Eric Adams’ recent withdrawal and prior work on digital assets altered the campaign setting and shaped expectations for regulatory direction. The November election will determine whether these proposals move forward or remain campaign positioning.
