A blockchain startup is accusing former New York City Mayor Eric Adams of appropriating their 'NYC Token' concept without proper attribution or collaboration. The dispute centers around the mayor's earlier promotion of a city-branded digital token initiative, which the startup claims mirrors their original project framework. This case highlights the growing tension between government entities exploring crypto initiatives and independent developers who pioneered similar ideas. As regulatory clarity around tokenization in municipal governance continues to evolve, ownership and attribution disputes like this could shape how future city-level digital asset projects are structured and launched. The incident underscores the need for clearer protocols when public officials engage with Web3 innovations.