Trump Family Profits from World Liberty Cryptocurrency Venture
The Trump family has reportedly generated approximately $5 billion from the sale of World Liberty Financial’s $WLFI token, raising ethical questions regarding the implications of such a financial gain.
Ohio Moves Forward with Cryptocurrency Payments for State Fees
Ohio has taken a significant step by approving a vendor to facilitate the acceptance of cryptocurrency as payment for state fees and services. The Secretary of State’s office is poised to become the first state agency to offer this modern payment option.
Cryptocurrency Payments Coming to Ohio State Fees
Residents of Ohio may soon have the opportunity to pay state fees using cryptocurrency. Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced that the Board of Deposit has chosen Grant Street Group to enable transactions in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for various state services, including business registrations and Bureau of Motor Vehicles fees. “Our state ranks among the top five in the nation for business opportunities,” LaRose remarked in a news release dated September 24. “With hundreds of thousands of financial transactions processed annually, we have recognized a growing demand for cryptocurrency payment options, and I am eager to lead this initiative.”
Ohio’s Approval for Cryptocurrency Vendor
In a recent unanimous decision, the Ohio State Board of Deposit approved the selection of a vendor to facilitate cryptocurrency payments for state fees. LaRose, who reportedly holds about $10,000 in Bitcoin, has consistently aimed to be the first in the state to allow Bitcoin payments for business filing fees. Customers opting for cryptocurrency will incur a transaction fee, akin to those charged for credit card payments.
The Timeline for Cryptocurrency Payment Implementation
The initiative to accept cryptocurrency for state fees was initiated in April when Secretary LaRose and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague urged the State Board of Deposit to approve such payments. The proposal received unanimous support from the board a month later, contingent upon vendor contract approval, which was finalized on September 24. “This week, we took a critical step to position Ohio at the forefront of the digital currency movement by authorizing a vendor to handle cryptocurrency payments for state fees,” Sprague stated. “After evaluating multiple proposals, I am confident that Grant Street Group will provide the necessary security and service for Ohio residents to access modern financial tools.”
Finding Bitcoin ATMs in Ohio
As reported by AARP, there are over 49,000 cryptocurrency ATMs across the United States, with more than 100 located in Ohio, including several in cities like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Akron. Coin ATM Radar offers an interactive map to help users locate nearby ATMs. However, it is important to note that these crypto ATMs can be susceptible to scams. The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost around $65 million to Bitcoin ATM scams in the first half of 2024, with older adults over 60 being particularly vulnerable. Scammers may impersonate government officials or tech support, persuading victims to withdraw cash from their bank accounts and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM for “safety.”
