Ian Calderon, a Bitcoin supporter and former California lawmaker, officially launched his governor’s campaign and brought a strong Pro Bitcoin message to the state’s 2026 election. He positions himself as a candidate to make California the global leader in digital assets.
In a video posted to X, Calderon announced his candidacy, pledging to California to hold Bitcoin on his balance sheet and use it to fund the state’s program. He said the vision will restore the state’s reputation as a technology leader while also helping families face high housing, food and fuel costs.
Calderon links the Bitcoin plan to California’s economy
Calderon, 39, launched a campaign saying that California should use modern tools Money and technology To correct that economy and make people’s lives easier. He explained that people are more confident that they are safer in the future than they handle daily transactions on their phones, save some of their revenue in Bitcoin and keep everything in cash. However, he noted that government leaders retain old systems and old ideas that are not yet working. Calderon had a direct link to the state’s high-priced homes, food and gas.
Calderon also said California should maintain it as part of its own financial savings to send a clear message to the nation and the world that the nation is still ready to lead new ideas. He will remind people that California is always a place of innovation and encourage businesses and investors to come to the state by holding Bitcoin.
He went further to X’s livestream, explaining that California should use Bitcoin to pay for some of the state’s programs and services. By doing this, governments show people that they are serious about moving into the digital age. Calderon said he had been working on the idea for years. He worked with the CEO of Satoshi Action Fund Dennis Porter in 2022 to introduce a bill that investigated whether Bitcoin could be used as fiat currency in California.
The plan may not have made any progress, but it shows his commitment to finding a way for Bitcoin to become a part of the state’s economy.
California is building new laws to support digital assets
California is home to many well-known technology and financial companies, including Coinbase, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and many other companies that began in Silicon Valley. A long history of innovation gives nations a unique position to build and support the future of money and digital assets.
These reasons were sufficient to allow lawmakers to pass new rules that could guide cryptocurrency growth while protecting people and businesses from unfair practices.
The state passed the Digital Financial Assets Act in 2024, which began in July 2025, requiring that all companies dealing with digital assets in California apply for licenses. These companies must also register with the Ministry of Financial Protection and Innovation to maintain a detailed and accurate record of their activities.
California has also launched a pilot program to test how digital assets work in everyday government life. With Congressional Bill 1180, people can pay certain state fees in cryptocurrency, and the program will run until 2031.
Parliamentary Bill 1052 Updates how states handle unclaimed properties and requests states to keep unclaimed cryptocurrencies in their original format. If someone comes back to claim their property later, they will receive the same kind of assets and are not a cash replacement. California’s economy has the size and influence to set examples that other states and countries may follow.
If you’re reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay with the newsletter.
