Andrew Cuomo eyes New York Mayoral Return with Crypto and AI Agenda

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo is reportedly making a bold political comeback — powered by crypto, artificial intelligence, and biotech. As part of his mayoral campaign, Cuomo aims to transform New York City into “the global hub of the future” by positioning it at the center of next-generation technology industries.

According to Eleanor Terrett, co-host of Crypto in America, Cuomo’s plan includes launching an Innovation Council with three advisory committees focused on crypto, AI, and biotech. The council would guide adoption strategies, workforce training, and cut bureaucratic hurdles for startups in these sectors. Cuomo also plans to create a new “chief innovation officer” role to attract high-value investments and create tech jobs across the city.

Cuomo isn’t new to the crypto scene. He previously served as an advisor to crypto exchange OKX during a federal investigation that ended with the firm paying over $500 million in fines. If elected, his leadership could mark a shift away from New York’s strict regulatory stance toward a more innovation-friendly environment that bridges traditional finance with digital assets.

With Wall Street’s $30 trillion in market capitalization, New York remains the world’s financial capital — and Cuomo’s tech-driven agenda could integrate blockchain and AI directly into its economic core.

The city’s current mayor, Eric Adams, recently opened the first-ever municipal Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology to support responsible crypto adoption. However, Adams withdrew from the race amid mounting political pressure, leaving Cuomo to face Democrat Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the upcoming November 4 election.

Mamdani, who leads most polls, has drawn criticism from crypto industry leaders for his anti-innovation stance, setting up a high-stakes battle that could decide the future of crypto in America’s biggest city.