Florida governor, Ron DeSantis explained at a press conference on Tuesday that he’s spoken with state agencies and told them to figure out ways for businesses to pay tax with cryptocurrencies. During the signing ceremony for a bill focused on financial literacy, DeSantis said that the government is working on accepting bitcoin “for payments in the state of Florida.”

DeSantis is Concerned about Biden’s Executive order

On Tuesday, Ron DeSantis, the 46th governor of Florida appeared at a press conference with fellow colleagues in order to sign a bill that mandates financial literacy in schools throughout the state. DeSantis touched on many subjects as Florida’s governor noted that he is concerned about U.S. president Joe Biden’s recent digital currency-focused executive order. DeSantis stated that there is a lack in understanding regarding decentralized crypto assets (CBDCs) and central digital bank currencies.

“There is a big difference between a decentralized cryptocurrency like bitcoin and the work being done at the federal level to convert U.S. Dollars into a digital currency, DeSantis stated. I think that there are a lot of risks with this, especially if it’s controlled centrally. Concerned about the power [it] would allow someone in a central authority basically to block access to certain goods, I am concerned. The governor said that we would be in unfamiliar territory.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Says His Administration Is Working on Ways to Allow Businesses to Pay Tax in Cryptocurrency

During the signing ceremony on Tuesday DeSantis insisted that the state of Florida is working toward accepting digital currencies like bitcoin (BTC). The governor of Florida stated that he had told state agencies to find ways for businesses to pay cryptocurrency tax to Florida. DeSantis said, “We will accept Bitcoin. We’re working to do that, for payments within the state of Florida.”

The governor’s statements are similar to the comments he made in December when his administration proposed the “Freedom First Budget.” During a speech in Tallahassee that month, DeSantis told the crowd that he wants Florida to be “crypto-friendly.” The governor also added that his administration was looking into how to leverage blockchain technology for some of the state’s record systems.

While DeSantis is well-known for being a crypto friendly governor, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez also supports bitcoin. Suarez gets a portion of his salary paid in bitcoin and he announced last December that he planned to take a fraction of his 401k retirement plan and convert it into bitcoin. The administration’s “Freedom First Budget” includes $700K in funds dedicated to researching how to progress Florida’s relationship with cryptocurrencies.

What do you think about Florida governor Ron DeSantis trying to usher in crypto acceptance in the state? Please comment below to let us know your thoughts on this topic.

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