New York City doesn’t just move on; it moves on at a breakneck speed that leaves most of us breathless. One day you’re the most powerful man in the five boroughs, and the next, you’re standing in Times Square under a giant banner for a new digital coin called "NYC Token." That is the reality for Eric Adams. If you’ve been following the news lately, you know the city has a new face at the helm—Zohran Mamdani—but the legacy of the 110th mayor is still very much a topic of heated debate in coffee shops from Astoria to Staten Island.
Most people think they have Eric Adams figured out. He was the "blue-collar mayor," the former cop who loved nightlife and stayed out until 3:00 AM at Zero Bond. But honestly? The truth is a lot more layered. It’s a mix of genuine policy wins, a confusing federal investigation that vanished as quickly as it appeared, and a final act that feels more like a tech startup pitch than a political retirement.
The Eric Adams Era: More Than Just Swagger
When people talk about Eric Adams, they usually start with the "swagger." He used that word a lot. It was his brand. But if you look past the expensive suits and the high-profile social life, his administration actually pushed through some massive changes that New Yorkers are still feeling today.
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Take the "City of Yes" initiative. It was basically a giant sledgehammer taken to the city’s outdated zoning laws. The goal was simple: build more housing everywhere. For decades, New York struggled with a housing crisis that felt permanent. Adams didn't fix it overnight—nobody could—but he did manage to get the most pro-housing zoning proposal in the city's history passed.
- Public Safety: Crime numbers actually dipped in several major categories toward the end of his term.
- The Rat Problem: Say what you want, but the move to containerized trash was a huge shift for a city that used to leave mountains of black bags on every sidewalk.
- Jobs: At one point, the city hit a record number of private-sector jobs under his watch.
But then there was the chaos. The NYPD seemed to have a revolving door for its leadership. We saw four different commissioners in just four years. It’s hard to build a consistent vision for public safety when the person at the top keeps changing.
Why Eric Adams Didn't Run Again
The biggest misconception is that Eric Adams was forced out by a conviction. That’s not what happened.
In September 2024, the federal government indicted him on corruption charges. It felt like the end. The media circus was relentless. People were calling for his resignation every single day. Adams maintained his innocence, and in a move that shocked everyone, the charges were eventually dropped in early 2025. The U.S. Justice Department under the Trump administration moved to dismiss the case, and a judge signed off on it in April.
So why did he drop his reelection bid?
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Basically, the damage was done. The campaign finance board had withheld millions in matching funds because of the investigation. His poll numbers were in the basement. He famously said, "It hurts like hell," when he announced he wouldn't run on the Democratic line. He tried to mount a late-game effort on an independent line, but by then, the momentum had shifted toward younger, more progressive voices like Mamdani.
The Crypto Pivot and the Post-Mayoral Life
If you thought Eric Adams would fade into a quiet retirement, you haven't been paying attention. He’s always been a "crypto evangelist." Remember when he took his first three paychecks as mayor in Bitcoin and Ethereum? He’s doubling down on that now.
Just this week, the former mayor popped up in Times Square to launch the "NYC Token." It’s a cryptic venture, even for him. He claims the revenue will fund efforts to fight antisemitism and teach kids about blockchain. Is it a sound financial move? Who knows. But it’s classic Adams—unconventional, tech-obsessed, and completely indifferent to what the "naysayers" think.
He’s also dealing with the "ghosts" of his administration. Just yesterday, a former senior official, Tony Herbert, was in federal court pleading not guilty to bribery charges. Even though Adams himself is clear of charges, the people he kept close are still facing intense legal scrutiny. It paints a complicated picture of his time in City Hall—one where the vision was often overshadowed by the conduct of his inner circle.
A New Chapter for NYC
While Eric Adams builds his digital currency empire, New York is navigating a very different path under Mayor Mamdani. The focus has shifted from "swagger" and pro-business moderate policies to a democratic socialist agenda centered on radical affordability and social programs.
But you can't understand where the city is going without looking at where it just was. Adams was a transitional figure. He bridged the gap between the old-school law-and-order politics of the past and the tech-heavy, social-media-driven future.
What New Yorkers should keep an eye on:
- The NYC Token: Watch if this digital asset actually gains any traction or if it’s just a flash in the pan.
- Zoning Impacts: Keep tabs on those "City of Yes" housing projects. If they start breaking ground in your neighborhood, that’s the Adams legacy at work.
- Ongoing Trials: The legal cases against former aides like Anthony Herbert will likely reveal more about how the 110th administration functioned behind closed doors.
To truly understand the impact of Eric Adams, look at the sidewalks. If there are fewer rats and more housing construction, he did what he set out to do. If the "NYC Token" is in your digital wallet in six months, well, maybe he really was the "crypto mayor" all along.
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Next Steps for New Yorkers
To see how these changes affect your specific neighborhood, you can track the status of local housing developments through the NYC Department of City Planning’s online portal. Additionally, stay informed on the upcoming budget hearings where the new administration will decide which of Adams’ pilot programs—like the "Every Block Counts" safety initiative—will continue to receive funding.