Santa Cruz Adopts Blockchain for Govt Services
The County of Santa Cruz in northern California has become the latest local government to adopt blockchain technology for governmental services. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors on April 25, 2023, members unanimously voted to move forward with implementing digital wallets for government services and official documentation purposes.
The white-label digital wallet will be powered by HUMBL and will launch a three-stage pilot program starting in July 2023. During the pilot period, beta testers, such as mobile users seeking access to government services like bicycle registration and RV parking registration, will be able to use the digital wallet. Other potential pilots include registration of park facilities, tracking volunteer hours, over-the-counter building permit distribution, and pet licensing.
Zach Friend, a Santa Cruz County Supervisor involved in the situation, stated that the value of digitizing paper documents, records, and services is an essential step for the convenience of Santa Cruz County residents and improving equity and access for the community.
Upon successful completion of the pilot, the county plans to provide a formal report and rollout plan by no later than September 2023.
The digital wallet project began to take shape in April 2022, following a collaboration between the Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors and HUMBL on the digital wallet technology infrastructure needed to begin a pilot program.
While local officials are pushing forward with the plans for a digital wallet, an open discussion forum on the county's website revealed concerns from local residents. One commenter, Becky Seinbruner, asked to suspend further action and progress on the digital wallet developments. Seinbruner
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