Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest, is optimistic about the impact of Donald Trump’s return to the White House on the cryptocurrency sector.
Her enthusiasm centers on Trump’s pro-crypto policy signals, including key appointments and shifts in regulatory tone.
Speaking on Bloomberg’s ETF IQ, Wood outlined how these developments could transform the digital asset landscape.
Cathie Wood Praises Trump’s Pro-Crypto Leadership at the SEC
Wood’s confidence hinges on the appointment of Paul Atkins as SEC commissioner. She described Atkins as “pro-crypto,” a stark departure from the crypto-skeptic approach of past administrations.
According to Wood, this move signals potential regulatory clarity—or even deregulation—that could unlock new opportunities for the industry.
Atkins, who previously served on the SEC from 2002 to 2008, is well-known for his market-friendly stance.
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His leadership could pave the way for policies that support innovation rather than stifle it. For Wood, this could energize the market and attract institutional interest.
Wood also addressed the emergence of Trump-themed meme coins, such as the “Official Trump” token.
She compared this trend to the 2017 initial coin offering (ICO) boom. She suggested that while these tokens may lack immediate utility, they play a role in introducing cryptocurrencies to a broader audience.
Wood drew parallels to the early days of internet adoption, where widespread investment in infrastructure ultimately led to technological advancement.
Regarding ARK Invest’s strategy, Wood reaffirmed the firm’s focus on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, rather than meme coins.
She highlighted ARK’s ARKB as one of the larger spot Bitcoin ETFs. She also mentioned the firm’s exposure to Ethereum and Solana through private funds.
Wood expressed optimism about the new administration’s economic agenda, stating that deregulation efforts are “unleashing animal spirits” and transforming “fear into optimism.”
She believes that the combination of political support, regulatory clarity, and market developments under President Trump’s leadership could accelerate cryptocurrency adoption.
A Welcome Change in the U.S. Crypto Stance
In addition to Atkins’ appointment, the administration has taken steps to foster a crypto-friendly environment.
An executive order was signed to promote the cryptocurrency industry in the U.S., establishing a working group to study the potential for a national Bitcoin reserve and creating a new regulatory framework for digital assets.
This group, led by the White House’s crypto and artificial intelligence advisor David Sacks, includes leaders from the Treasury Department, Department of Justice, and the SEC.
They are tasked with presenting regulatory and legislative proposals within 180 days to the president.
The SEC has already signaled a more welcoming approach to the digital asset sector by overturning previous guidance that treated digital tokens as liabilities on bank balance sheets.
This move is expected to pave the way for banks to offer cryptocurrency custody services without facing penalties, reflecting a shift towards a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment.
These developments indicate a significant policy shift from the previous administration, with the current leadership aiming to make the U.S. a global leader in the cryptocurrency space.
Industry leaders are optimistic that this supportive stance will reduce regulatory uncertainties and promote innovation within the sector.
Source: https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2025/01/27/cathie-wood-sees-trumps-sec-pick-as-pro-crypto-game-changer/