Clyde Vanel, a Democratic State Assemblymember in New York, introduced Assembly Bill A523 to allow people who owe the state money to pay with crypto.  The bill would allow state agencies to accept crypto as a form of payment for fines, civil penalties, taxes, and fees.  The bill defines cryptocurrency as "any form of digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency including but not limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash." Agencies can start accepting crypto as payment, but the bill doesn't obligate them to do so.  Next steps: the bill will need to be passed by the New York Assembly and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The Biden administration is encouraging Congress to "step up its efforts" and regulate the crypto industry.  Biden says it would be a "grave mistake" to allow cryptocurrency and traditional finance to have closer ties.