Santa Monica ‘Bitcoin Office’ section goes live on website

The City of Santa Monica, California has officially added a “Bitcoin Office” section to its website in an effort to strengthen industry partnerships and increase employment opportunities.

This move comes about a month after the Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a pilot program for the Santa Monica Bitcoin (BTC) Office.

Officials say the initiative costs the city nothing.

Following City Council approval, Santa Monica introduced the new section on its website on Thursday, August 8.

The city government is reportedly collaborating with the Proof of Workforce Foundation to educate Santa Monica-based residents and businesses about BTC and its transformative potential in the modern economy.

Proof of Workforce Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between emerging digital technologies and local communities. Established in 2023, the foundation plans to equip individuals with the skills needed to drive the evolving job market and economic growth in Santa Monica.

Beyond its educational mission, the Bitcoin Office aims to build partnerships in the Bitcoin industry to support Santa Monica’s economic recovery and create new job opportunities.

According to the information on its website, the office will facilitate strategic collaborations with the aim of strengthening the local economy and positioning “Silicon Beach” as a leading hub for Bitcoin innovation.

The office launch was followed by a promotional post about an upcoming Bitcoin festival called Bitcoin Peer-to-Peer, which will take place at X. According to the post, Santa Monica plans to hold the event on October 18, a day after the proposed date.

Santa Monica Deputy Mayor Lana Negrete emphasized that the Santa Monica Bitcoin Office program focuses entirely on education rather than the asset itself.

Negrete said the initiative is in line with the municipality’s ongoing efforts to spur the city’s economic recovery.

The program is expected to provide positive publicity for Santa Monica and boost tourism, especially since the city hosts the Pacific Bitcoin Festival, which brings together thousands of Bitcoin enthusiasts each year.

While promoting educational opportunities about cryptocurrency, Negrete explained that the city does not support Bitcoin investments. Instead, the program aims to improve residents’ understanding of the cryptocurrency’s functions so they can make more informed decisions about its use and investment.