The City of Santa Monica makes history by opening an official Bitcoin office. The city council voted unanimously to pilot the office in partnership with the non-profit Proof of workforce at no cost to the city.
The office has four main goals, according to the 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 the city’s renewable energy.
Vice Mayor Lana Negrete, who supported the initiative, said: “As we travel to Santa Monica to learn Bitcoin, I’m excited to see what the next ideas will be. Bitcoin is for everyone!”
Santa Monica follows the model of The saviorwhich in 2021 became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. 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 and has welcomed 4.5 million visitors, with spending approaching $1 billion by 2023.
Some other recent Bitcoin developments in Santa Monica include firefighters who self-preservation of Bitcoin and city officials who visited El Salvador to see Bitcoin acceptance first-hand.
As more places like Santa Monica explore Bitcoin, the growing perception that cities and countries can gain an advantage by positioning themselves as Bitcoin-friendly destinations is reinforced.
Dom Bei, founder of Proof of Workforce, said: “The future of Santa Monica is bright orange!” On Wednesday, he plans to present a special Bitcoin visual at the Santa Monica Pier to celebrate the city’s new Bitcoin initiative.