Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says he’s making big gains from his paychecks in Bitcoin, telling Fox Business that it’s “up 300%” since he received his paycheck in Bitcoin.
Suarez: “I got a salary of $30,000.” He saidnoting that Bitcoin rose 400% when it reached $120,000 earlier this year. Despite recent market volatility — with Bitcoin falling below $100,000 this week — Suarez said he’s not worried about short-term price fluctuations.
(Bitcoin Volatility) “It doesn’t really bother me,” he told host Stuart Varney. “I’m more interested in the overall effect of having a store of value that people trust, and having a system for creating money that is known through law.”
Suarez, who is best known as one of the first US politicians to receive his salary in Bitcoin, said the focus should be on how decentralized finance and cryptocurrencies evolve alongside artificial intelligence. “What’s most interesting is this evolution in where decentralized finance is going, where crypto is going, where artificial intelligence is going,” he said.
Speaking at the US Business Forum in Miami, Suarez also highlighted the city’s rise as a financial centre. Miami’s pro-capitalist ethos stands in “total opposition” to cities like New York, he said, predicting an increase in interest in real estate and business as a result.
Back in 2021, Suarez said the city would soon give bitcoin to its citizens as part of a plan to build an entire bitcoin economy. Suarez said he envisions a future where the “Satoshi System” is used for payments, including city taxes.
He added that increasing Bitcoin’s utility will lead to increased value and adoption. Suarez also said he wants city employees to pay their wages in bitcoin and residents to pay fees in cryptocurrency.
The current race for Miami mayor is headed to a runoff on Dec. 9 between Democrat Eileen Higgins and Republican Emilio Gonzalez. Suarez was term-limited, and he was unable to run for mayor again.
Celebrities get paid in Bitcoin
Recently, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. validated his decision to stake his Los Angeles Rams salary for 2021 in Bitcoin. Beckham converted his $750,000 base salary into Bitcoin through a cash app trade when Bitcoin was trading at around $60,000.
The move was mocked by critics as Bitcoin subsequently collapsed by nearly 80%, but by July 2025, the asset had risen to record levels above $120,000.
“It’s safe to say we’re still happy with our decision,” Beckham posted on X as Bitcoin reached all-time highs.
At $118,000 per bitcoin, his original payout was worth about $1.47 million — nearly double what it would have been worth in 2021. Even after taking the 49.3% tax rate, Beckham would have earned nearly $1.1 million, nearly triple what he would have earned in cash.
Other notable athletes who have earned their earnings in Bitcoin include Russell Okung, who earned half of his $13 million salary from the Panthers in Bitcoin, and Saquon Barkley, who chose to receive his $10 million endorsement in Bitcoin.
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