Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made national headlines after signing legislation to officially recognize gold and silver as legal tender in the state. As reported by LiveNOW from FOX, the bill marks a dramatic shift away from reliance on fiat currency and government-controlled banking systems. DeSantis announced the decision at a public signing in Apopka, Florida, calling the legislation a “landmark” move to give Floridians true financial freedom in the face of global instability and Washington’s ongoing spending spree.
From Bullion to Buy-In: Precious Metals Become Spendable
According to FOX 13 Tampa Bay reporter Evan Axelbank, the new Florida law enables residents to use gold and silver not just as investment assets but as real money. Beginning July 1, 2026, Floridians will be able to make transactions with precious metals in a way similar to using cash. Though the state still needs to draft specific rules for implementation, the legislation allows businesses such as check cashers and money service providers (like PayPal) to transmit and receive payments in gold and silver. It’s optional for most, but mandatory for those financial service businesses.
Florida Joins a Very Small Club
As DeSantis explained in his remarks, shown in the LiveNOW from FOX video, Florida becomes just the third U.S. state to take this step. But unlike the smaller states that came before, Florida is a heavyweight in both population and economy. That makes its embrace of precious metals all the more significant. “We are the first large state to step up and do this,” DeSantis said, adding that the move aligns with the original spirit of the U.S. Constitution, which allows states to recognize gold and silver as legal tender.
Guarding Against Inflation and Overreach
The governor didn’t mince words about the threats he believes Americans face from Washington, D.C. As reported in The Washington Examiner, DeSantis blamed out-of-control federal borrowing, printing, and spending for the decline in the dollar’s value. “Inflation is a tax,” he said bluntly. “When your money becomes less valuable, that’s no different than Congress directly taxing you.” The move to make gold and silver legal tender, he explained, offers a practical shield for Floridians against these economic pressures.
Gold vs. CBDC: A Battle Over Control
A major theme of DeSantis’s announcement was opposition to Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), something the Biden administration has explored. According to the LiveNOW from FOX video of the speech, DeSantis sees CBDCs as a threat to personal liberty, claiming such systems could allow federal authorities to track purchases, deny transactions, and even block ammunition or fuel sales based on political motives. “It’s a frontal assault on your economic freedom,” he warned, calling Florida’s rejection of CBDC a national model.
From ESG to DeBanking: Fighting Back Against Financial Censorship
Governor DeSantis tied the gold and silver legislation to a broader pushback against ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies, which he claims have been used to “debank” politically disfavored businesses. Gun store owners and cattle ranchers, he said, have faced discrimination from large financial institutions simply because their industries don’t align with elite agendas. “They wanted to do this through the economy,” DeSantis explained, accusing big banks and asset managers of advancing a “leftist political agenda” without ever going through the ballot box.
State-Level Financial Reform in Action
While Washington continues to rack up trillions in debt, DeSantis used Florida as an example of fiscal restraint. “Since I’ve been governor, we’ve paid off 41% of all the debt Florida has ever accrued,” he told the audience. LiveNOW from FOX reported that the governor contrasted Florida’s declining debt per resident, about $400, with the nation’s per capita federal debt of over $105,000. He attributed this success to low taxes, small government, and careful spending. “We’ve done big things, but we’ve done them responsibly,” he said.
Practical Implementation Still Needs Work
Despite the fanfare, the practical rollout of the new law will take time. As FOX 13 Tampa Bay pointed out, the state’s CFO and Financial Services Commission must still develop the rules for how businesses will handle gold and silver payments. A report is due to the legislature by November 1, with final ratification required by July 1, 2026. Businesses accepting metals must be licensed, and coins must meet specific standards for weight, purity, and origin.
Concerns Over Counterfeits and Logistics
Not everyone is sure this system will work smoothly. As FOX 13 reported, precious metals dealer Marc Bonnet expressed skepticism. He said there’s a lot of fake gold and silver in circulation and warned that many merchants aren’t trained to authenticate it. “Unless they have somebody that specializes in that stuff, I think it’d be very difficult,” he noted. The state will have to create systems that help businesses verify real metals and quickly determine value during transactions.
A Modern Return to Hard Money
Doug Bankson, the state representative who sponsored the bill, emphasized in The Washington Examiner that this move is a long-overdue return to historical norms. “For over 190 years, gold and silver backed our currency,” Bankson said, pointing to President Nixon’s 1971 decision to abandon the gold standard as a turning point in the dollar’s decline. Since then, the dollar’s buying power has dropped over 90%. This legislation, he argues, is a step toward correcting that.
A Smart Move with Real Risks
It’s honestly fascinating to see a U.S. state break away from the dollar’s dominance – even if only slightly. What DeSantis is doing isn’t just symbolic. It gives people an option, a financial escape hatch, if they feel cornered by inflation or central control. That said, there’s going to be serious friction in implementation. Retailers aren’t used to handling gold. Counterfeits are everywhere. But at a time when economic systems feel unstable and trust in institutions is low, offering more choices makes sense. Florida isn’t abandoning the dollar – it’s adding a safety valve.
A Gold Standard for State-Level Innovation?
With this legislation, Florida positions itself as a leader in decentralized finance and individual economic liberty. By recognizing precious metals as legal tender, Governor DeSantis is pushing back against what he sees as the creeping financial surveillance of the digital age. As reported across LiveNOW from FOX, FOX 13 Tampa Bay, and The Washington Examiner, the bill is not just about money – it’s about sovereignty. And whether or not other states follow, one thing is certain: Florida just raised the bar in the national debate over currency, freedom, and financial control.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.