Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A Skokie, Illinois-based company that bills itself as America’s “leading bitcoin ATM operator” doesn’t have to register as a state money transmitter to operate here, state regulators decided.
The Office of Financial Regulation, under Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, announced its decision Thursday in the Florida Administrative Register.
GPD Holdings LLC, which does business as CoinFlip, had asked for a “declaratory statement” on whether a “bitcoin ATM operator is required to register” with the state under existing law.
Patronis in June rolled out a re-election campaign platform that includes regulating the cryptocurrency market, and said Ken Lawson, CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, would be his new “cryptocurrency adviser.”
CoinFlip’s Daniel Polotsky had said the company “wants to operate its bitcoin ATMs in Florida and wants to make sure it is in compliance with the state’s laws regarding money transmission.” (A request for comment on the OFR’s decision was sent Thursday.)
The company now operates cryptocurrency ATMs throughout the Midwest and in California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee and North Carolina, according to its website.
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.
CoinFlip is “not a money transmitter,” Polotsky argued, “because it does not promise to make the cryptocurrency available at a later date/does not act as a middleman between the consumer and the exchange, but instead makes it immediately available from its own supply upon receiving the cash.”
Evening Reads
“Poll: Florida’s Senate race nearly a tie after Bill Nelson gains ground” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“Questions of conflict mount over Florida governor’s finances” via Gary Fineout of The Associated Press
“Florida Insiders foresee a Governor Andrew Gillum” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“A new campaign slogan for Ron DeSantis: ‘Soon’” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“Gillum supporter apologizes for crude remark about Florida on Chris King conference call” via James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat
“As I-4 mayors endorse him, Gillum pledges interest in mass transit” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Realtors continue pouring money into ballot measure” via The News Service of Florida
“‘Vote no’: FanDuel comes out in opposition to gambling amendment” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“A closer look at Florida Constitutional Amendment 13” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
“Flag burning ad spurs debate challenge in Jacksonville House race” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Florida Indian gaming revenues grow, but more slowly” via Richard Danielson of the Tampa Bay Times
“Miami-Dade beaches closed for red tide” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO Florida
“Did the commissioner accused of sphincter bleaching just compare the mayor to Hitler?” via Sarah Blaskey of Miami Herald
“Florida’s poorest ZIP code is in Tallahassee. For Chamber speaker, it’s a rallying cry” via TaMaryn Waters of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Looking to Nov. 6, Tampa airport board hedges its bet on new lobbyist” via Richard Danielson of the Tampa Bay Times
“Citrus Co. Sheriff weaponizes physical fitness test against women, lawsuit alleges” via Michael Moline of Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“Bill Nelson slings mud to make this race about me. It’s not. This race is about your kids, your family, your future.” — Gov. Rick Scott, in a new ad for his U.S. Senate ad. Earlier this week, his campaign manager said Nelson was “losing his mind,” calling him “rambling, incoherent, confused.”
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Wake Up Early?
State political candidates and committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Sept. 28.
The Florida College System Council of Presidents is scheduled to meet. That’s at 8:30 a.m., Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach Gardens Campus, 3160 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens.
Associated Industries of Florida is slated to continue a two-day “Florida Water Forum.” That’s at 8:30 a.m., Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee.
Democratic Sen. Daphne Campbell of Miami and Farm Share will hold a food-distribution event at 10 a.m., Jerusalem II SDA Church, 2601 N.W. 123rd St., Miami.
Looking Ahead
State Sen. Lori Berman, a Lantana Democrat, and Greenacres Mayor Joel Flores will join Farm Share to distribute food to people in need. That’s Saturday, 9 a.m., Greenacres City Hall, 5800 Melaleuca Lane, Greenacres.
The Win Justice Coalition and volunteers of United We Dream Action, Fight for $15, and Bend the Arc announce a “massive volunteer action to get out the vote.” That’s Saturday at noon, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center (Royal Ballroom), Miami.
Pro-medical marijuana advocacy organization Empowering Wellness will host a conference to “create a conversation on expanding patient access to cannabis-based treatments.” Speakers at the event include Democratic Congressman Charlie Crist, Democratic Congressman Darren Soto, and Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes, among others. That’s Saturday, 2 p.m., The Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon Park, Picasso Ballroom, 950 Lake Carillon Drive, St. Petersburg.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is slated to speak during the Palm Beach County Democratic Party’s annual Truman Kennedy Johnson Dinner. That’s Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Marriott Hotel, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach.
A reception for Forward Florida, Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum’s political committee, will be held in South Florida. That’s Sunday, 4 p.m., Weston Hills Country Club, 2600 Country Club Way, Weston.
Visitors can pay respect to the late Sen. Dorothy Hukill on Sunday afternoon. Sen. Hukill’s family has chosen to keep the formal memorial as a small private service but is welcoming any members of the Senate family who wish to stop by Sunday between the hours of noon and 2 p.m., Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 4815 Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange. The family also wants to convey their appreciation for the outpouring of love and support they received during this most difficult time.
