California Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled the California Breakthrough Project, a new initiative aimed at enhancing government effectiveness and efficiency. The project, announced on July 15, brings together executives from leading technology firms such as Coinbase, Ripple, and MoonPay to collaborate on streamlining state operations.
The advisory group, which was convened at Ripple’s San Francisco headquarters on June 6, includes key figures like Ripple Executive Chair Chris Larsen and executives from MoonPay and Coinbase. The group will work closely with agency staff to identify bottlenecks in procurement, hiring, and service delivery, as well as propose challenge-based pilots to address these issues. Transparency and labor consultation will be maintained throughout each project phase.
Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of California’s role in artificial intelligence (AI) research, highlighting that 32 of the world’s 50 largest AI companies are based in the state. This abundance of expertise allows Sacramento to quickly test new tools while ensuring privacy safeguards are in place.
To complement the task force, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-30-25, which tasks the Government Operations Agency with collaborating with the departments of Human Resources, General Services, and Technology to expedite civil service hiring cycles, simplify IT procurement, and establish shared contracting vehicles. Cabinet agencies are required to submit at least one efficiency proposal within 90 days, and the Office of Data Innovation will expand the “Engaged California” platform to gather ideas from state workers.
In a separate development, Coinbase has pledged support to the Fairshake super PAC, a crypto-focused political action committee. The super PAC reported $141 million in cash on hand as of June 30, with $52 million raised in the first half of 2025, including a $25 million contribution from Coinbase. Since Election Day 2024, Fairshake has raised $109 million and remains committed to advocating for crypto and blockchain innovation.
Overall, the California Breakthrough Project and Coinbase’s involvement in Fairshake reflect a growing partnership between the tech industry and government to drive innovation and efficiency in public services. This collaborative effort is poised to bring about positive change and propel California to the forefront of technological advancement.