Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Another cryptocurrency concern is before state financial regulators asking permission to operate in Florida.
Grapefruit Trading of Chicago — a “virtual currency trader” — filed a “petition for declaratory statement” this month, according to the Office of Financial Regulation, under Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
Grapefruit Trading’s Craig Silberberg wrote in his request that he doesn’t believe the state’s money transmitter law applies to his business model.
It raises a question that policymakers may have to deal with: What’s ‘money’?
In general, cryptocurrency is “decentralized digital currency beyond the reach of banks and governments,” as Fortune magazine once defined it. Bitcoin is perhaps the best-known cryptocurrency.
The law in question is “intended for entities (that) transmit money from one party to another,” Silberberg wrote. “In our business, we simply purchase and sell virtual currencies directly from/to our counterparty. Thus, we do not believe we are a ‘money transmitter.’”
Another Illinois company, which bills itself as America’s “leading bitcoin ATM operator,” also is seeking permission to operate in Florida.
GPD Holdings LLC, which does business as CoinFlip, filed its own request for a declaratory statement on whether a “bitcoin ATM operator is required to register” as a money transmitter.
Both requests are pending.
In June, Patronis rolled out a re-election campaign platform that includes regulating the cryptocurrency market.
He later announced Ken Lawson, CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, as his new volunteer “cryptocurrency adviser.”
Evening Reads
“In many close House races, Democrats are outraging Republicans” via Rachel Shorey and Audrey Carlsen of The New York Times
“Florida Republicans keep distance from Trump-related blockbusters” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Poll: Dead heat between Philip Levine and Gwen Graham” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“Philip Levine: The Governor’s race is ‘fight for the soul of the nation’” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times
“Jeff Greene tries to sell Florida Democrats on a Trump counterpunch” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald
“Agency mistakes plague GOP candidate for Florida governor” via Brendan Farrington of The Associated Press
“Ashley Moody, Republican candidate for AG, wasn’t a “lifelong Democrat” via Lucia Geng of PolitiFact Florida
“Jeremy Ring says money, endorsement won’t decide CFO race” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Medical marijuana flap could cost Wells Fargo Broward’s business” via the Sun-Sentinel
“Defamation lawsuit against Javier Manjarres could be reopened” via Ryan Nichol of Florida Politics
“Pensacola-area candidates turn to Donald Trump for edge in primaries” via Jim Little of the Pensacola News Journal
“Chris Gardner out as chair of Citizens Insurance board” via Michael Moline of Florida Politics
“Republican leaders clash with governor’s school security request” via Gary Fineout of The Associated Press
“Rep. Shevrin Jones opens up as a gay man: ‘I’m living my truth,’” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald
“Supreme Court clears release of surveillance video from outside Parkland school shooting” via Rafael Olmeda of the Sun Sentinel
“FPL parent NextEra Energy among companies that ‘change the world,’ according to Fortune magazine” via the Sun-Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“I don’t want to brag about it, but man do I have a good record of endorsements.” — President Donald Trump, telling a crowd about his endorsement of Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis.
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Wake Up Early?
Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican, will speak to the Rockledge Rotary Club about the 2018 legislative session and issues on the November ballot. That’s at 7:30 a.m., Twisted Birch, 1279 Admiralty Blvd., Rockledge.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum kicks off Day Four of the “Bring It Home” bus tour:
— YMCA Pine Hills Senior event. That’s at 9:15 a.m., 870 N. Hastings St., Orlando.
— Early voting rally. That’s at 10 a.m., Hiawassee Branch Library, 7391 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando.
— Cocoa rally to the polls. That’s at 12:30 p.m., REAL Church, 509 Blake Ave., Cocoa.
— Early vote rally. That’s at 5:45 p.m., NFL YET Center, 3310 E. Lake Ave., Tampa.
— Rap and mingle with Gillum in the ’burg, with special guest Hall of Fame boxer Winky Wright. That’s at 7 p.m., 2140 34th St. S., St. Petersburg.
The National Federation of Independent Business will make a “special announcement” with Chief Financial Officer Patronis. That’s at 10 a.m., Restaurant Equipment World, 2413 Forsyth Road, Orlando.
Democrat Ed Rendell — formerly mayor of Philadelphia, governor of Pennsylvania and chair of the Democratic National Committee — will campaign with Democratic candidate for Governor Philip Levine will host a meet-and-greet with the Sumter County Democratic Club at The Villages. That’s at 10:30 a.m., 300 S. Main St. (#1), Wildwood.
Levine later will attend the monthly meeting of the United Democratic Club of Century Village. That’s at 1:30 p.m., Century Village Clubhouse, 5500 Century Blvd., West Palm Beach.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is expected to make a campaign stop in South Florida. That’s at 2 p.m., La Carreta Restaurant, 8650 Bird Road, Miami.
Levine also will attend the Pinellas County Democratic Club monthly meeting. That’s at 7 p.m., St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd N., St. Petersburg.
Lead Parrothead Jimmy Buffett holds a free concert to support Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham. That’s at 7:30 p.m., ArtsPark at Young Circle Amphitheater, One Young Circle, US-1 at Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood.
