“Who’s laughing now?”: Eric Adams defends Bitcoin paychecks

New York City Mayor Eric Adams reiterated his support for Bitcoin, reflecting on the skepticism he faced when he first decided to convert his paychecks into cryptocurrency back in 2022.

At a recent media event, Adams said, “We should not be afraid of Bitcoin. Remember y’all laughed at me when I first got my Bitcoin? Who’s laughing now? Go look at my Bitcoin now.”

Adams converted his first three paychecks as mayor into Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto in 2022, a move that drew both praise and criticism. 

He faced public skepticism, with many questioning the viability of the decision during a volatile market period. Addressing his critics, he remarked, “You all mock me… Now you wish you would have done it.”

Per the event, Adams sees cryptocurrencies as tools for innovation and economic empowerment, particularly in underserved communities.

Odell Beckham Jr.

This proud sentiment echoes that of another famous person who has received a salary in crypto: Odell Beckham Jr.

Back in 2021, Beckham Jr., a former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, partnered with CashApp during the 2021-2022 NFL season to receive his $4.25 million salary in Bitcoin. As part of the deal, he gave away $1 million in bitcoin to his fans on Twitter.

Last month, Beckham Jr. took to X to gloat about his decision: “Soooo who said taking my Rams salary in bitcoin was dumb again?”