Other Cities Should Pay Attention
Bitcoin columnist Guy Malone is covering the Las Vegas Bitcoin Conference, with 30,000 expected attendance. Today’s guest column is provided graciously to Roswell Daily Record readers by Thomas Fite.
As a native New Mexican, I’ve always believed our state has the potential to lead — not just follow — when it comes to innovation. Through my work with FocalShift Media and the New Mexico Blockchain and AI Council (NMBAIC), I’ve had the chance to work closely with agencies across the state, from the Department of Public Safety to local district attorney’s offices, helping modernize outdated systems and explore what’s next in public infrastructure.
That’s why Roswell’s recent decision to launch a strategic bitcoin reserve caught my attention. It’s more than a first in New Mexico. It’s a first in the country and it’s a smart, cautious move that other municipalities — here and elsewhere — should seriously consider.
What Roswell Did
In early 2025, Roswell set up a digital reserve fund by accepting bitcoin donations and placing them into a secure cold wallet. The city committed to holding the asset for 10 years, using it only in the event of a true emergency — and only with unanimous city council approval. To ensure trust, they published the wallet address, allowing anyone to verify the balance at any time.
This isn’t a speculative bet or a publicity stunt. It’s a thoughtful way to diversify city reserves, build financial resilience and embrace transparency through decentralized technology.
Why It Matters
Let’s face it: most municipalities still rely on cash and bonds for their rainy-day funds. These are safe, familiar and inflation-prone. Meanwhile, the broader financial world is evolving quickly. Digital assets like bitcoin — and increasingly, SEC-compliant utility tokens, stablecoins, and tokenized assets — are entering mainstream financial conversations, not just in the private sector but in policy circles and government itself.
The current administration has signaled clear support for a regulated, innovation-friendly digital asset ecosystem. At the federal level, we’re seeing real steps toward regulatory clarity — something the crypto(currency) industry has long needed. That opens the door for states and cities to explore digital finance tools responsibly.
Roswell didn’t wait for perfect clarity. Roswell looked at what’s possible now, built safeguards and took action. And that’s something worth recognizing.
A Blueprint Other Cities Can Follow
The beauty of Roswell’s approach is its simplicity. No technical leap required. No need to reinvent city hall. Just a well-governed, transparent reserve with clear rules and long-term vision.
Here’s what other cities, counties and tribal governments can take away from it:
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Transparency builds trust. Publishing the wallet address and codifying strict withdrawal protocols shows how public finance can be both innovative and accountable.
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Small steps are enough. You don’t have to overhaul your budget. Roswell started with donations and a long-term mindset.
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Public good is the goal. The reserve isn’t about chasing profit — it’s about preparing for the unexpected, like a disaster or economic shock.
Just as importantly, it shows that cities don’t need to limit themselves to bitcoin alone. Other digital assets — including tokenized municipal bonds, community reward tokens or energy credit systems on blockchain — are already being piloted in forward-looking jurisdictions across the country. The key is finding what fits the mission and needs of the community.
Yes, There Are Risks — And They’re Manageable
Digital assets are volatile. We’ve seen that. But the point here isn’t to chase market highs. It’s to hold a noncorrelated asset over the long term in a way that doesn’t put taxpayer dollars at immediate risk.
With proper governance, legal review and public education, municipalities can navigate these waters responsibly. That’s part of what NMBAIC exists to do: provide guidance, connect policymakers to experts and support projects that use blockchain and AI to create measurable public benefit.
A More Connected, Decentralized Approach to Leadership
What makes this moment especially powerful is that the principles of decentralization don’t stop with technology — they extend to how we organize and lead. The NMBAIC itself is part of a broader network, collaborating with regional and national groups like the North American Blockchain Coalition, sharing ideas, standards and best practices across state lines.
It’s a new model of civic innovation: locally rooted, globally connected and structurally decentralized — just like the technology we’re advocating for.
This is about making smart, future-proof decisions today that could pay dividends tomorrow.
Roswell did something bold. Now the rest of us have the chance to do something even more powerful: learn from it — and build on it.
Thomas Fite is the co-founder of FocalShift Media and the founder and executive advisor for the New Mexico Blockchain and AI Council. He works with public agencies and civic organizations to modernize systems and explore responsible uses of technology such as blockchain and AI in government. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
