The former president affirms support for the crypto sector amidst calls for regulatory clarity and plans for a Bitcoin reserve.
Former President
Donald Trump hosted his inaugural cryptocurrency summit at the White House, expressing strong support for the industry and outlining his administration's plans to reverse policies enacted under his predecessor.
During the meeting, Trump vowed to end what he referred to as the 'war on cryptocurrencies' and emphasized the need for regulatory clarity surrounding stablecoins.
At the start of the summit, Trump stated, "I know many of you have been fighting for this for years, and it is an honor to be with you at the White House." He acknowledged the challenges faced by the cryptocurrency sector, particularly the actions taken by regulators under the previous administration, which Trump characterized as overly aggressive.
Trump criticized regulatory bodies for their heavy-handed approach towards financial institutions serving cryptocurrency firms, claiming that such actions effectively restricted the flow of funds to and from exchanges.
He referred specifically to Operation Chokepoint 2.0, alleging that it was aimed at stifling the growth of the industry.
In addition to addressing regulatory concerns, Trump expressed his intention to sign a stablecoin bill before the upcoming Congressional recess in August.
He commended lawmakers for their efforts to ensure regulatory stability for dollar-backed stablecoins and the broader market for digital assets, suggesting this regulatory framework could foster economic growth and innovation.
On the topic of government holdings in Bitcoin, Trump reiterated his stance against the sale of seized Bitcoins, declaring it "foolish" for the federal government to divest so many of its assets.
He announced the establishment of a Bitcoin reserve, stating, "From this day forward, America will follow the rule that every Bitcoiner knows well: never sell your Bitcoin."
The summit saw participation from leading figures in the cryptocurrency industry including executives from Coinbase, Ripple, Kraken, Gemini, Chainlink, and Robinhood.
Notable attendees included Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, as well as Sergey Nazarov of Chainlink, who spoke during portions of the event streamed live.
Earlier in the day, a senior White House official clarified the administration's stance regarding the new Bitcoin reserve and the secondary crypto supply initiative initiated by Trump.
The official indicated that the U.S. government currently possesses an estimated 200,000 Bitcoins intended for the reserve and that a review would be conducted to assess specific assets.
It was specified that any seized assets not in Bitcoin would be retained in other forms of custody, emphasizing that no new investments would occur in non-Bitcoin assets and that future Bitcoin investments would need to be structured to avoid using taxpayer dollars.
The afternoon summit aimed to create a more favorable environment for digital assets than what was experienced during
Joe Biden's administration, establishing a new regulatory tone moving forward.