Despite not mentioning Bitcoin in Trump’s first speech, experts believe his administration will soon make crypto a priority.
A “golden age” without crypto
On Jan. 20, Donald Trump returned to the White House as the 47th President of the United States, delivering an inaugural address that promised a “golden age” for America.
His speech covered themes like unity, economic strength, and border control while addressing hot-button issues such as inflation, immigration, and energy production.
Yet, the crypto community noticed a glaring omission — there wasn’t a single mention of crypto or Bitcoin (BTC), despite the Trump family’s recent involvement in the crypto space.
On Jan. 17, Donald Trump announced his own meme coin, “Official Trump” (TRUMP), a bold, unexpected move. Not to be outdone, Melania Trump followed suit two days later with her own “Official Melania Meme” (MELANIA).
Both tokens caused an explosion of hype, with millions of traders diving headfirst into the frenzy. Despite early success, their value quickly plummeted, though they still retain hefty market caps in the billions.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin reached a euphoric milestone, climbing to a record high of $109,020 just hours before Trump’s swearing-in. However, the celebration was short-lived. As of Jan. 21, BTC’s price had pulled back to $103,000 levels, a nearly 5% drop.
Analysts attribute this slide to a combination of profit-taking by traders and market uncertainty sparked by Trump’s silence on crypto.
So, what has happened since Trump’s inauguration, and what can we expect in the days to come? Let’s find out.
A day of action, but not for crypto
When Trump returned to the White House, the crypto world held its breath. Whispers of executive orders that could alter the fate of the crypto industry had dominated pre-inauguration chatter.
Rumors swirled about initiatives to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve, establish a crypto advisory council, and even ban the creation of a central bank digital currency. Expectations soared. Day one felt like it could be a defining moment for the industry.
Instead, reality arrived with a dose of disappointment. Trump’s first day in office was packed with action—80 executive orders signed in rapid succession, overturning policies from the previous administration.
Federal workers were ordered back to the office, the U.S. pulled out of the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization, and new federal regulations were put on hold. Even on Jan. 6, rioters saw federal charges against them dropped.
But for all the sweeping changes, crypto didn’t make the cut. Hopes of day-one clarity dissolved as the priorities lay elsewhere.
Yet, not all hope is lost. Eleanor Terrett, a journalist for Fox Business, recently hinted at big moves potentially still on the horizon.
In a tweet that sparked conversations across the digital finance world, she suggested that Trump might yet sign executive orders banning CBDCs and establishing a formal crypto council.
Her words align with those of Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, the parent company behind USDC (USDC), who has also expressed optimism.
Allaire believes that Trump’s administration could soon ease restrictions on banks holding digital assets, including the repeal of the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 — a long-standing barrier for financial institutions interested in crypto.
While the crypto industry is eager for rapid progress, industry pioneers have urged patience. Binance founder CZ recently addressed this sentiment, tweeting, “Everyone expects everything to happen in one day. Good things take time.”
Glimmers of optimism amid the silence
As the crypto industry grapples with uncertainty, a notable announcement from Donald Trump Jr. on Jan. 20 caught attention.
Just hours after his father’s inauguration, Trump Jr. unveiled a series of strategic investments made by World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a DeFi project launched by the Trump family in 2024.
The allocations included $47 million each in Ethereum (ETH) and wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC), alongside $4.7 million each in Aave (AAVE), Chainlink (LINK), TRON (TRX), and Ethena (ENA), totaling over $120 million.
While policy clarity may lag, the Trump family is placing its bets on crypto’s future. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Trump’s administration is also amending the regulatory era.
As former Securities and Exchange Commission Chief Gary Gensler officially resigned from his position on Jan. 20, Mark Uyeda, a well-known crypto advocate, stepped in as acting chair of the SEC.
Paul Atkins, a former SEC official and crypto supporter, has been nominated by Trump to permanently take over the role of SEC chair.
Over at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Caroline Pham has assumed the role of acting chair, bringing with her a reputation for thoughtful consideration of blockchain technologies.
The CFTC could become a leading federal watchdog for crypto, with early legislative efforts positioning the agency to oversee crypto spot markets for widely traded tokens.
While it’s unclear whether Pham will be Trump’s top pick for the full-time role, her name is consistently mentioned on shortlists for the position.
Notably, in 2023, Pham pitched a pilot program for crypto oversight, citing her proactive stance toward digital asset regulation.
Even the FDIC, a key player in past controversies like “Operation Choke Point 2.0,” is undergoing change, with Chair Marty Gruenberg stepping down just before Trump’s inauguration.
The coming days for crypto under Trump’s second term remain uncertain but intriguing. While his administration’s silence on day one left many feeling deflated, the signs of movement are there.
Good days ahead?
The Trump administration’s second term has begun with more questions than answers for the crypto industry. While there has been no immediate executive order addressing digital assets, experts urge patience.
Richard Galvin, co-founder of hedge fund DACM, noted that “it’s premature to draw strong conclusions from the absence of an immediate executive order,” reflecting the administration’s wide range of competing priorities.
Hints of progress behind the scenes have also added to the optimism. David Bailey of Bitcoin Magazine suggested that “our EOs are among the first 200,” though he acknowledged uncertainty about which specific measures might make the cut.
If these executive orders address issues like a regulatory framework or even hint at a crypto council or a strategic reserve, they could provide a much-needed boost to the market’s confidence.
Bitcoin’s recent performance has further fueled anticipation. In just one week, its price surged from $88,000 to $108,000, achieving a new all-time high.
Analysts like Michaël van de Poppe stressed that maintaining support above $100,000 is crucial for continued upward momentum.
However, he also warned that failure to hold this level could lead to a pullback. Meanwhile, a weaker U.S. dollar and falling yields have bolstered altcoins.
Further ahead, the path for crypto under Trump’s administration remains uncertain but filled with potential. Executive orders could emerge as a defining moment, providing clarity on key issues. However, the absence of immediate action doesn’t raise alarm.
Bitcoin’s ability to maintain its recent gains, the broader market’s reaction to potential policy shifts, and the macroeconomic backdrop will all play critical roles in shaping what’s next.
Source: https://crypto.news/trumps-golden-age-begins-without-bitcoin/