Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has reported significant gains from his salary paid in Bitcoin, stating to Fox Business that he is “up 300%” since he began receiving his pay in the cryptocurrency. Suarez noted that he was initially paid when Bitcoin was valued at $30,000, and it had even surged to $120,000 earlier this year, representing a 400% increase. Despite recent market fluctuations, which saw Bitcoin slip below $100,000, Suarez expressed a lack of concern over short-term price swings. He emphasized his focus on the broader macro impact of Bitcoin as a reliable store of value with a transparent money creation system defined by its code.

As one of the first U.S. politicians to adopt Bitcoin for his salary, Suarez highlighted the growing intersection of decentralized finance, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence. Speaking at the American Business Forum in Miami, he championed Miami’s emergence as a financial hub, attributing its growth to a pro-capitalist ethos that he believes stands in direct contrast to cities like New York. Suarez anticipates this will lead to a significant increase in real estate and business interest in Miami.

Looking ahead, Suarez articulated a vision for Miami to build a comprehensive Bitcoin economy. This plan, first announced in 2021, includes distributing Bitcoin to citizens and utilizing the “Satoshi system” for various payments, including city taxes. He believes that enhancing Bitcoin’s utility will be a crucial driver for its further value appreciation and widespread adoption. Additionally, Suarez expressed a desire for city employees to be paid in Bitcoin and for residents to have the option to pay fees in the cryptocurrency. It's important to note that Suarez was term-limited and could not run for re-election, with Miami’s mayoral race heading to a runoff between Eileen Higgins and Emilio Gonzalez.

The trend of receiving salaries in Bitcoin extends beyond politics to the world of professional sports. NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. notably converted his 2021 Los Angeles Rams base salary of $750,000 into Bitcoin through a Cash App deal when the cryptocurrency was trading around $60,000. This decision initially faced criticism when Bitcoin’s value later plummeted by nearly 80%. However, by July 2025, Bitcoin had rebounded to record highs exceeding $120,000, vindicating Beckham’s choice. He publicly celebrated on X, stating, “Safe to say we still happy with our decision.” At $118,000 per BTC, his original payout was worth approximately $1.47 million, nearly double its 2021 value. Even after accounting for a combined 49.3% tax rate, Beckham would have taken home roughly $1.1 million, almost triple what he would have earned in traditional cash.

Other prominent athletes have also embraced Bitcoin for their earnings. Russell Okung, another NFL player, received half of his $13 million Panthers salary in Bitcoin. Similarly, Saquon Barkley opted to take $10 million in endorsement earnings in the cryptocurrency, further illustrating the growing acceptance and appeal of Bitcoin as a form of payment and investment among public figures.