Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says he’s sitting on main features from his Bitcoin paychecks, telling Fox Enterprise he’s “up 300%” since taking his wage in bitcoin.
“I obtained paid at $30,000,” Suarez mentioned, noting that Bitcoin had even been up 400% when it hit $120,000 earlier this 12 months. Regardless of current market volatility — with Bitcoin slipping under $100,000 this week — Suarez mentioned he isn’t fearful about short-term worth swings.
[The volatility of bitcoin] “actually doesn’t hassle me,” he informed host Stuart Varney. “I’m extra involved with the macro affect of getting a retailer of worth that individuals place confidence in, that has a cash creation system recognized via the code.”
Suarez, who famously turned one of many first U.S. politicians to take his pay in Bitcoin, mentioned the main target must be on how decentralized finance and crypto are evolving alongside AI. “What’s extra fascinating is that this evolution of the place decentralized finance goes, the place crypto goes, the place AI goes,” he mentioned.
Talking on the American Enterprise Discussion board in Miami, Suarez additionally highlighted town’s rise as a monetary hub. He mentioned Miami’s pro-capitalist ethos stands in “diametric opposition” to cities like New York, predicting a surge in actual property and enterprise curiosity in consequence.
Again in 2021, Suarez mentioned town will quickly give bitcoin to its residents as a part of a plan to construct a full Bitcoin financial system. Suarez mentioned he envisions a future the place “the Satoshi system” is used for funds, together with metropolis taxes.
He added that growing Bitcoin’s utility will drive additional worth and adoption. Suarez additionally mentioned he needs metropolis staff paid in BTC and residents to pay charges within the cryptocurrency.
Miami’s present mayoral race is heading to a Dec. 9 runoff between Democrat Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio Gonzalez. Suarez was term-limited, and couldn’t run for mayor once more.
Celebrities getting paid in Bitcoin
Lately, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. vindicated his choice to take his 2021 Los Angeles Rams wage in Bitcoin. Beckham had transformed his $750,000 base wage to BTC via a Money App deal when Bitcoin traded round $60,000.
Critics mocked the transfer as Bitcoin later crashed almost 80%, however by July 2025, the asset had surged to document highs above $120,000.
“Protected to say we nonetheless pleased with our choice,” Beckham posted on X as Bitcoin hit new all-time highs.
At $118,000 per BTC, his authentic payout was value about $1.47 million — almost double its 2021 worth. Even after a mixed 49.3% tax charge, Beckham would have taken residence roughly $1.1 million, virtually triple what he’d have earned in money.
Different notable athletes who’ve taken their earnings in Bitcoin embody Russell Okung, who acquired half of his $13 million Panthers wage in BTC, and Saquon Barkley, who opted to take $10 million in endorsements in Bitcoin.
