California Launches Crypto Task Force Led by Tech Executives

California Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated the California crypto task force, uniting executives from prominent tech companies such as Coinbase, Ripple, and MoonPay. This collaborative effort aims to address and rectify inefficiencies within the state's operations, marking one of the most ambitious endeavors to integrate blockchain industry leaders into public sector transformation.

The task force was discreetly convened on June 6 at Ripple’s San Francisco office. The initiative is part of the California Breakthrough Project and underscores the state's commitment to leveraging technology for public sector improvement. Notably, California is home to a significant number of the world’s largest AI companies, highlighting its technological prowess.

At the core of this initiative is an advisory group comprising top executives, including Ripple’s Executive Chairman Chris Larsen. While the specific representatives from Coinbase and MoonPay have not been publicly disclosed, their role is pivotal in identifying and resolving bottlenecks in procurement, hiring, and service delivery across various state departments. This effort is not merely about technological advancements but about translating private sector innovation and speed into effective government problem-solving.

The California crypto task force will collaborate with agency officials on pilot projects designed to achieve measurable efficiencies while maintaining transparency, worker protections, and civil liberties. To ensure the success of this initiative, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-30-25, which sets specific deadlines for various departments. Under this order, the Government Operations Agency, along with the Departments of Human Resources, Technology, and General Services, must launch projects in three key areas: compressing civil service hiring timelines, simplifying public sector IT procurement, and establishing shared contracting systems to eliminate duplication. Each cabinet-level agency is required to submit at least one low-cost or no-cost efficiency proposal within 90 days.

Additionally, the Office of Data Innovation will expand “Engaged California,” a platform designed to crowdsource insights from state employees. An Innovation Fellows Program will also be established, where selected supervisors will be assigned to specific reform challenges with full departmental support. This program is expected to be operational by August 15. The collaboration between the public and private sectors, now bolstered by the involvement of crypto industry leaders, is anticipated to yield results by the fourth quarter of 2025.

While Coinbase is actively engaged with the California crypto task force, the company is also making significant strides on the federal front. On July 15, it was reported that Coinbase had donated $25 million to the Fairshake super PAC, a political action committee advocating for pro-blockchain regulation and innovation. Fairshake has raised a substantial amount of funds, including $52 million in the first half of 2025 alone. The PAC’s spokesperson emphasized their focus on building long-term political support for digital assets across the political spectrum. Coinbase is one of the PAC’s major backers, alongside other prominent entities in the crypto industry.

This initiative by California could set a precedent for how blockchain companies engage with public administration. With Ripple and Coinbase not only participating but also shaping the reform process, California is pioneering an approach to embed crypto-native thinking into the very fabric of government operations. If successful, this model could be replicated in other states, particularly those considering similar partnerships between public agencies and decentralized innovators.