Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of the NYC Token, a new cryptocurrency aimed at funding efforts to combat antisemitism and anti-Americanism. Speaking in Times Square just days after leaving office, Adams described the venture as a way to teach children about blockchain technology and improve city operations. He plans to oversee a related nonprofit but declined to disclose his partners or full details.
Eric Adams, who left office less than two weeks ago amid a fraud case dismissed by the Trump administration, returned to New York on January 12, 2026, to promote his latest project in Times Square. Surrounded by a banner and wearing a cap emblazoned with the round NYC Token logo, Adams positioned the digital coin as a tool for social good.
"You heard me for years, I talked about cryptocurrency and what it means," Adams told reporters. "This is going to be how we are going to address many of the issues you’re seeing." He pledged that revenue from the token would fund initiatives against antisemitism and anti-Americanism, educate children on blockchain, and draw lessons from innovations like Walmart's supply chain transparency. The venture includes a nonprofit overseen by Adams, funded by 50 million crypto tokens, with involvement from the Combat Antisemitism Movement and historically Black colleges and universities.
Adams revealed he is one of three creators but refused to name his partners, directing questions to the website nyctoken.info. As of the announcement, the site featured only the logo, slogans like "Greatest city in the world. Creating the greatest token," and non-functional links to buy the token or view a whitepaper. He denied involvement from crypto investor Brock Pierce and stated he is not taking a salary "at this time," though he left open the possibility for later.
The event also touched on politics. Adams criticized his successor, Zohran Mamdani, for revoking executive orders that adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, banned protests at houses of worship, and promoted investments in Israeli companies. "I think everyone needs a grace period, but no one gets a grace period on hate," Adams said, referencing anti-Israel protests.
Mamdani, at a separate event, dismissed the venture with a one-word response when asked if he would buy a token: "No."
Adams, a longtime crypto advocate who converted his early mayoral paychecks to cryptocurrency, has been traveling internationally since leaving office, including recent trips to Dubai and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He plans further jaunts to Dallas and Senegal, alongside setting up additional companies with international partners. "I’m going to be working for Eric Adams," he affirmed.