With his return to the presidency, Donald Trump has positioned himself as a key figure in the Bitcoin conversation. His keynote at Bitcoin 2024 laid out ambitious plans for integrating Bitcoin into the U.S. economy, making him the first U.S. president to openly champion the cryptocurrency in such a way. As his second term begins, the Bitcoin community is eager to see how his promises will evolve into concrete policies, with hopes of a friendlier regulatory environment and a more secure, innovative financial system.

The Promises

Trump’s speech at Bitcoin 2024 highlighted a series of initiatives aimed at embracing Bitcoin and blockchain technology:

• Ending the “anti-crypto stance” from previous administrations, with a commitment to revising the approach to regulation.
• Establishing a Presidential Crypto Advisory Council to shape the national strategy for Bitcoin and blockchain innovation.
• Rejecting the idea of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
• Securing and holding government-owned bitcoin, with plans to create a strategic stockpile.
• Freeing Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road online marketplace, who has been imprisoned since 2013.
• The removal of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler.

While Trump’s commitment to Bitcoin is undeniably encouraging for the community, translating ambitious promises into effective policy presents a challenging path forward. His call for removing SEC Chairman Gary Gensler resonated with Bitcoin advocates, many of whom blamed Gensler for restrictive policies. Although it’s unclear if Trump’s influence played a role, Gensler’s announcement of his November departure signals a changing regulatory tide. Trump’s proposal to establish a Crypto Advisory Council holds potential, but its success will depend on bipartisan cooperation and a clear, actionable mandate. Without these elements, it risks becoming a hollow political gesture. Additionally, his opposition to a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) aligns well with privacy advocates and decentralization proponents, and there does seem to be support from within the Republican party for this policy. In regards to Ross Ulbricht, President Trump has many avenues to explore, from a commuted sentence to a presidential pardon. Whether it happens “day one” or within the early days of Trump’s second term, Ulbricht’s freedom is on the horizon.

As with any sweeping political vision, enthusiasm must be tempered with pragmatism. Turning promises into actionable policies takes time, especially within the labyrinth of established financial systems. Regulatory reforms move slowly, often hindered by entrenched interests and complex legislative processes. Nonetheless, Trump’s vocal advocacy of Bitcoin marks a cultural shift in American politics. Even if not every initiative reaches full fruition, his presidency could significantly alter public perceptions and policy discourse surrounding Bitcoin, embedding the cryptocurrency deeper into the national conversation.

Should political inertia or opposition delay progress, the Bitcoin community has tools to remain proactive and engaged. Active participation in shaping policy will be key—advocating for legislative clarity and innovation-friendly frameworks can help ensure Bitcoin’s potential is realized. Keeping a vigilant eye on regulatory shifts, including how Trump’s administration addresses existing SEC cases and cryptocurrency classifications, will also be crucial. Flexibility and readiness to accept incremental progress could yield meaningful wins, especially in resisting CBDCs and strengthening the government’s bitcoin holdings strategy.

Ultimately, Trump’s pro-Bitcoin stance represents a historic pivot toward integrating Bitcoin into U.S. governance. While challenges and delays are inevitable, the presence of a Bitcoin advocate in the White House offers unprecedented opportunities. The next few years will test whether America can truly become a beacon for Bitcoin innovation or whether political realities will slow the revolution. Either way, Bitcoin now has a powerful ally at the highest level of government—a hopeful signal for its future trajectory in the United States and beyond.

This article is a Take. Opinions expressed are entirely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.

Last night, President-elect Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump, posted a photo of himself at Mar-a-Lago with MicroStrategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor with the caption, “Two friends, one passion: Bitcoin.”

This is so unbelievably bullish — let me explain.

For the last four years, under the Biden-Harris administration with total Democrat control, the U.S. government did their best to terrorize this industry and attack us. The overwhelming majority of the Democrat party did not support Bitcoin and followed Elizabeth Warren’s lead on demonizing the industry and its participants. They weaponized the justice system to arrest Bitcoiners, tried to tax our unrealized gains, stopped pro-Bitcoin legislation from being signed into law, de-banked industry participants via Operation Chokepoint 2.0, refused to support Bitcoin in any meaningful way, and so much more.

They were truly anti-Bitcoin. If Kamala Harris had won the presidential election, their reign of terror on Bitcoin would have continued for at least four more years. But now, the Democrats’ war on Bitcoin in America is finally coming to an end. And a new administration is coming in — and they love Bitcoin.

Donald Trump is not even officially in office yet, and his family is already inviting Michael Saylor to his estate in Mar-a-Lago to discuss Bitcoin further. This isn’t the first time he’s done something like this either, like in 2024 when Trump invited American Bitcoin mining giants there to learn more about the industry and what he needs to do to best support them.

It is important to note that just two weeks ago, Saylor said on Bloomberg that he would be open to advising Donald Trump on Bitcoin. And now with him being at Mar-a-Lago, I think it is safe to speculate that something big might be brewing here.

The Trumps understand Bitcoin and continue to show their support for the asset and industry. Eric Trump recently gave a great speech at the Bitcoin MENA Conference in Abu Dhabi, explaining the characteristics that make Bitcoin an invaluable asset while also sharing his family’s personal experience being de-banked, and how Bitcoin protects individuals from being cancelled. Donald Trump Jr. made an appearance at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in, along with his father, and showed lots of support for this asset and industry.

Donald Trump has committed to releasing Bitcoiners (Ross Ulbricht) from prison, sign pro-Bitcoin legislation into law, work with the industry to help us thrive, end Operation Chokepoint 2.0, appointed an official Crypto Czar, said “Bitcoin and crypto will skyrocket like never before” under his administration, and so much more.

Even if you’re not a fan of Trump, you have to acknowledge and give him and his family credit for the good work they’re doing to make a regulatory friendly environment for this industry to thrive in. Imagine all this industry can accomplish over the next four years being supported by the President, allowing us the room to innovate and build without fear of being harassed and demonized by our own government. I would say the sky is the limit but it’s even better than that.

Four years is a long time, especially in this industry. Lots can happen during that time and I am incredibly bullish on the future of Bitcoin in America under this incoming Trump administration.

Michael Saylor: "Bitcoin is on the menu at Mar-a-Lago."

AMERICA IS EMBRACING #BITCOIN LIKE NEVER BEFORE pic.twitter.com/7c2NJG7Kzd

— Nikolaus Hoffman (@NikolausHoff) January 3, 2025

This article is a Take. Opinions expressed are entirely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.