# Florida Holds Over $800M in Crypto-Related Investments

*Author: Kazu Umemoto*
*Published: Oct 31, 2024*
*Source: https://www.bankless.com/florida-holds-over-800-million-in-crypto-related-investments*

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Florida's CFO, Jimmy Patronis, appeared on CNBC today, revealing that the state has started making significant investments in the crypto space and now holds some $800 million in crypto-related investments.

## **What’s the Scoop?**
- **Seeking Optimal Returns**: During the interview, Patronis emphasized that cryptocurrency is here to stay. He wants Florida’s investment team equipped with every tool available to maximize returns.
- **Growing Interest**: Patronis noted that Floridians' interest in cryptocurrency surged after the Bitcoin conference in Miami in 2020, underscoring the event’s impact on the state’s crypto engagement.

## **Bankless Take:**
Though crypto-related investments are still a small portion of Florida's overall portfolio, it's encouraging to see the state recognize crypto’s potential for positive impact. Patronis is notably bullish on the space; he even suggested that Florida consider allocating a portion of its pension funds into cryptocurrencies. Wisconsin, for instance, reported in May that it holds approximately $163 million in spot Bitcoin ETFs. As more states consider crypto investments, this could be a positive step for the industry and might even address underfunded pension issues across states like California.