Colorado DMV taps PayPal to facilitate crypto payments

The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles accepts payments in crypto assets supported by PayPal

article-image

Casablanca Stock/Shutterstock, modified by Blockworks

share

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) said Thursday it has begun accepting crypto as payment for online services as the state continues its drive to find use cases for the asset class.

DMV customers can now use PayPal crypto to pay for driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, and other services, according to a statement.

To pay with crypto, customers will be directed to PayPal, where they can select the asset they want to use. PayPal will then convert the crypto to dollars and remit the payment to the DMV.

There is a service fee of $1 plus 1.83% of the DMV total for paying in cryptocurrency. PayPal fees may also apply. PayPal is the only provider accepted at this stage, the DMV said.

A “sufficient” sum of crypto is exchanged for dollars to encompass both the transaction and associated fees, which is then forwarded to the DMV to finalize the online process.

“We’re always looking for ways to better serve Coloradans and leverage technology to offer our services,” said Electra Bustle, senior director of the DMV.

“This new online cryptocurrency payment option is yet another way the DMV is providing innovative and convenient service delivery to our customers.”

The DMV is the first government agency in Colorado to accept cryptocurrency. Other states, including California, Florida, and New York, are also considering accepting crypto payments.

Early last year, Colorado became the first state to accept the asset class as a form of payment on tax receipts. PayPal, which recently launched its own stablecoin to much fanfare, was tapped as the payment provider for tax payments as well.

While the initiative was initially praised as a progressive and forward-thinking approach, early reports indicate adoption for that particular use case has been slow.

The tech-savvy state also took the mantle of being the first to implement blockchain for government infrastructure back in 2019 following the passage of the state’s Cyber Coding Cryptology for State Records Act the year before.

The city of Denver also held the first US election with blockchain technology for overseas ballots, Blockworks was told last year.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Unlocked by Template (1).jpg

Research

As AI supercharges surveillance, privacy becomes a prerequisite and the winning stack will combine confidentiality with selective disclosure. Zcash’s Tachyon, composable standards on Ethereum/Solana, and compliance-aware pools aim to make private rails the new norm.

article-image

The derivatives giant will extend futures and options access to round-the-clock trading in early 2026

by Blockworks /
article-image

Global fiber network goes live as SEC clears 2Z token for utility use

by Blockworks /
article-image

The SPAC transaction positions Avalanche Treasury Co. as a Nasdaq-listed vehicle for institutional AVAX exposure by 2026

by Blockworks /
article-image

The collaboration brings regulated money market fund exposure to Polygon, with custody provided by Standard Chartered

by Blockworks /
article-image

FG Nexus teams with Securitize to bring its Nasdaq-listed equity onchain, offering tokenized stock trading through Ethereum

by Blockworks /
article-image

Sponsored

Taiko launches binding onchain governance and appoints three directors with expertise in global regulation, business strategy and blockchain tech

by Sponsored /