Blockchain in Paradise – July 2026

Aloha kākou,

Hawaiʻi has always found its own way forward. We take what comes from the outside, we weigh it against our values and our place, and we decide what to keep. That's exactly how I think about technology. Not as something that happens to us, but something we can shape for ourselves.

This month's issue reflects that. We gathered at Hana Koa for an evening of real conversation about the future of money. We're watching national crypto policy shift in ways that will eventually reach every household in these islands. And we're breaking down what all of it means for everyday people here — not in the abstract, but in terms of what's actually changing and why it matters to you.

The work isn't complicated: show up, ask questions, keep learning. That's all we're asking of you, and it's all we're doing too.

Mahalo for being part of this with us,

— Alika Kāne
Executive Director, Pūpūkahi Tech

Mahalo to the Stand With Crypto team for their continued support of our programming and their commitment to advancing responsible digital education and financial empowerment across Hawaiʻi. Their emphasis on grassroots engagement and thoughtful, balanced policy advocacy keeps community voices at the center as digital asset regulation continues to evolve here. Support like this helps us keep Talk Story sessions, workshops, and learning opportunities accessible to all. ➡️ Stand with Crypto

On June 11, we gathered at Hana Koa Brewing Co. in Kakaʻako for The Future of Money Pau Hana, an evening of cold drinks and open conversation about digital currencies, decentralized finance, and what it all means for everyday life in Hawaiʻi.

Mahalo to everyone who came out, asked questions, and talked story with us. These are exactly the conversations we want more of across the islands.

If you missed this one, keep an eye out. Our Pau Hana events are recurring and we'd love to see you at the next one. Follow us on Instagram @blockchain_in_paradise or check luma.com for upcoming dates.

You may have seen one: a machine in a convenience store or strip mall that takes your cash and turns it into cryptocurrency, no bank involved. They're called digital asset kiosks, and in Hawai'i they're about to get a lot harder to find.

What happened: The Legislature passed House Bill 1642 on May 11, 2026, barring anyone from operating a kiosk in Hawaiʻi that accepts cash in exchange for digital assets, effective October 1, 2026. On June 26, Governor Green released his intent-to-veto list for this session, and HB1642 was not on it. Bills he doesn't act on by July 15 become law without his signature, so barring a late change, this one is headed for the books.

Why it exists: Scammers — often posing as law enforcement, courthouse officials, or "tech support" — pressure victims, frequently kūpuna, into rushing to a kiosk and feeding in cash before anyone can stop and ask questions. Nationally, crypto scams using this exact playbook caused roughly $240 million in reported losses in just the first half of 2025. Supporters like AARP point to similar losses here in Hawaiʻi, likely underreported; opponents argued the rules go too far and could hurt low-income residents and small kiosk operators. Both sides got heard, and the bill still moved forward.

What it means for you: Starting October 1, you won't be able to feed cash into one of these machines anywhere in the state (cashing out crypto you already own will still be allowed). If anyone ever tells you to "go to the crypto machine" to pay them, that's a scam, full stop. No legitimate bill, fine, or refund works that way.

We'll confirm in a future issue once the bill is officially law.

If you hold digital assets for the long term, the single best thing you can do is move them off an exchange and into your own hardware wallet. It removes the "someone else is holding my money" risk entirely.

▶️ Secure your assets with a Trezor hardware wallet

(Disclosure: this is an affiliate link — if you purchase through it, Blockchain in Paradise receives a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Outside Hawaiʻi, regulators have been busy. In June, the SEC put digital assets at the top of its strategic priorities and signaled, after more than a decade of uncertainty, that most crypto assets aren't themselves securities. Around the same time, the CFTC issued new guidance on crypto futures contracts.

For Hawaiʻi, this matters more than it might for other states. Our regulatory environment has historically kept major crypto platforms out of the islands. Exchanges that operate freely on the mainland have had to limit or restrict services here, leaving local residents with fewer options and less access. Federal clarity is the upstream condition that makes state-level progress possible. When Washington establishes clearer rules, it becomes easier for Hawaiʻi lawmakers to build on them, and for legitimate companies to operate here with confidence.

We're not there yet. But the direction is right, and it's the kind of shift that over time could mean more access, more products, and more opportunity for local residents to participate in the digital economy on equal footing with the rest of the country. We'll keep watching it and translating what it means for you as it develops.

If you've been watching crypto prices lately, you've noticed they're down… significantly. As of early July, Bitcoin is trading around $62,000, and Ethereum around $1,700. Both are well off their highs from earlier in the year, and the broader market has lost roughly half its peak value.

A few things are behind this. Institutional investors have been pulling money out of Bitcoin ETFs and moving it into AI stocks and other assets. Uncertainty around federal crypto legislation has also kept some money on the sidelines.

What this means if you're new to the space: Volatility like this is not unusual in crypto. It's one of the biggest things to understand before putting any money in. Prices have dropped 50% or more multiple times in Bitcoin's history and have recovered each time, though that recovery takes years, not weeks, and there are no guarantees. This is also why we talk about hardware wallets, self-custody, and only holding what you genuinely understand: the people who get hurt the most in downturns are those who bought more than they could afford to lose, often because someone told them it was a sure thing.

No one knows where prices go from here. What we do know is that the technology keeps building — and Hawaiʻi's community conversations keep happening — regardless of the price chart.

When: Wednesday, July 30, 2026 · 6:00–8:00 pm (HST)

Where: Hawaiian Island Cafe · Waimanalo

What: Not sure what AI actually is or whether it's something you should even care about? This one's for you. Pūpūkahi Tech Foundation is hosting a relaxed introduction to artificial intelligence for community members of all levels. No background in tech required. We'll cover what AI is, what risks come with it, and how everyday locals and local businesses are already using it. Plus, how you can too.

All levels welcome. Come with your questions.

RSVP at https://luma.com/re9bcrol

The technology isn't waiting for anyone. But that doesn't mean we have to chase it breathlessly or let someone else decide what it means for us. Hawaiʻi has the people, the relationships, and the values to engage with this on our own terms; and that's what we're here to build toward, one conversation at a time.

Whether you came to a Pau Hana, watched a Talk Story session, or just opened this newsletter: you're part of it. Keep showing up.

The future, made local.

Mahalo nui,

– The Blockchain in Paradise Team

Blockchain in Paradise is the digital assets and Web3 arm of Pūpūkahi Tech Foundation, a Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit closing the digital economy gap through technology access, digital education, and fluency in AI, Web3, and cryptocurrency.