Survey Shows Australians Split on Trump’s Effect on Crypto

Recent developments in US financial policy and cryptocurrency markets have sparked renewed debates over transparency, regulation, and economic stability. President Donald Trump’s confirmation of a long-awaited audit of Fort Knox’s gold reserves has driven speculation on prediction markets, while his return to office has also fueled a surge in Bitcoin and broader crypto adoption. In Australia, however, public sentiment remains divided on Trump’s impact on the digital asset space, with crypto investors viewing his policies more favorably than non-investors. As discussions around financial accountability and digital currencies gain momentum, both initiatives highlight the evolving intersection of traditional and decentralized finance.

Donald Trump’s Presidential Win Sends Crypto Markets Surging, But Australians Remain Divided on His Impact

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has triggered a massive rally in the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin soaring over 40% since his election on Nov. 5. However, while global markets embrace his pro-crypto stance, a recent survey suggests Australians are not as convinced about his positive influence on the industry.

According to a survey conducted by Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve, only 31% of Australians believe Trump is good for the crypto sector, while 8% say he is bad for it. A significant 60% of respondents remained neutral, suggesting a lack of strong sentiment on his policies or their potential effects on digital assets.

However, the survey revealed a stark contrast between crypto investors and non-investors in their perceptions of Trump. Among those who actively invest in cryptocurrency, 50% viewed Trump favorably regarding his impact on the industry, while 44% remained neutral and only 6% had a negative outlook.

In contrast, only 20% of non-crypto investors saw Trump as a positive influence, while 10% expressed negative views. This suggests that those with financial exposure to the crypto market are more optimistic about the regulatory and economic changes his administration may bring.

The survey found that the most committed crypto investors—those investing AU$10,000 ($6,400) per month—had no negative views on Trump, further showing the belief that his policies will drive greater adoption and innovation in the sector.

Independent Reserve CEO Adrian Przelozny attributes this optimism to Trump’s perceived pro-crypto stance. “There is widespread anticipation that his pro-crypto policies will foster innovation and broader adoption of digital assets,” he said.

The findings of the Independent Reserve survey align with a separate YouGov poll commissioned by Swyftx, which revealed that 59% of Australian crypto investors are more likely to vote for a pro-crypto candidate in the upcoming federal election. With an estimated 2 million Australians holding digital assets, this emerging voting bloc could play a decisive role in the country’s political landscape.

Australia’s federal election, set to take place by May 17, is expected to be tightly contested between the ruling center-left Labor government and the center-right opposition. The political discourse surrounding cryptocurrency regulation is heating up, with both sides making promises to address the industry’s growing concerns.

Challenges Facing the Australian Crypto Industry

Despite growing adoption, the Australian cryptocurrency industry still faces hurdles. Independent Reserve reported that nearly 20% of survey respondents experienced restrictions from their banks when attempting to buy crypto or faced delays in processing payments to exchanges.

Regulatory uncertainty remains a major concern. While the Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, concluded a consultation on a crypto framework in late 2023, there is no clear timeline for legislation. This lack of regulatory clarity has been criticized by the opposition, with Shadow Assistant Treasurer Luke Howarth stating that the Labor government has “left much-needed regulation in the bottom drawer.”

“If we are fortunate enough to form [a] government, the [center-right] Coalition will work quickly to put in place fit-for-purpose regulation which keeps Australia up with the rest of the world and provides much-needed regulatory certainty,” Howarth added.

Australia’s crypto adoption has reached an all-time high since Independent Reserve began conducting its annual survey in 2019. Nearly one-third of respondents now report that they own or have previously owned digital assets, marking a 16 percentage point increase in six years.

However, for the industry to thrive, policymakers will need to address the regulatory ambiguity and banking challenges that investors continue to face. With Trump’s pro-crypto stance influencing global markets, and Australia’s own elections approaching, the country finds itself at a crossroads in shaping the future of its digital asset sector.

Trump’s Push for Fort Knox Gold Audit Sparks Surge in Prediction Markets

In other Trump news, the likelihood of a long-awaited audit of the Fort Knox gold reserves by May 2025 has surged dramatically on cryptocurrency-based prediction markets following the US President’s confirmation of his administration’s intent to conduct the review.

During a flight to Washington on Feb. 19, Trump made a public statement confirming that his administration is planning an official visit to the Fort Knox vaults to verify the presence and quantity of gold reserves. His remarks, reported by the Associated Press, have reignited interest in a subject that has long been debated by financial analysts, libertarians, and crypto enthusiasts alike.

“We’re going to go into Fort Knox to make sure the gold is there,” Trump declared. His statement reaffirmed an initiative that initially gained traction through the libertarian financial blog ZeroHedge, later supported by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Trump’s statement had an immediate impact on prediction markets, particularly on the cryptocurrency-based betting platform Polymarket. Since Polymarket listed its Fort Knox-related markets on Feb. 17, speculation over the audit has intensified. Following Trump’s announcement, the odds of an audit occurring before May 2025 surged past 70%, climbing from 55% just a day earlier.

In addition to speculation about whether the audit will occur, another Polymarket market is focused on whether missing gold reserves will be uncovered. At present, the market assigns a 17% probability that the audit will reveal discrepancies in Fort Knox’s gold holdings. Kalshi, another prediction market platform, is reportedly preparing to launch its own Fort Knox-related betting markets.

The last time an official audit of Fort Knox’s gold reserves took place was in 1974, meaning that for nearly five decades, the true status of the nation’s gold holdings has remained largely unknown to the public. Concerns about the integrity of the reserves have fueled conspiracy theories and calls for greater transparency.

Trump’s latest remarks appear to mark his first public statement on Fort Knox’s reserves since being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20. While he did not explicitly mention concerns over potential missing gold, his tone suggested that his administration is taking the matter seriously.

“If the gold isn’t there, we’re going to be very upset,” Trump warned. He further expressed hope that “everything is fine with Fort Knox,” avoiding direct speculation but indicating that a discovery of missing assets could have significant repercussions.

Trump’s push for an audit has been met with enthusiastic support from the cryptocurrency community, which has long argued that Bitcoin offers a more transparent and verifiable alternative to gold. Unlike gold reserves, Bitcoin holdings can be audited in real-time via its blockchain, eliminating concerns about potential manipulation or fraud.

Many crypto analysts view the audit initiative as an indirect endorsement of Bitcoin’s strengths. If the audit were to uncover discrepancies or a lack of transparency in Fort Knox’s reserves, it could further reinforce Bitcoin’s appeal as a decentralized and tamper-proof asset class.

Regulatory and Political Implications

With the federal government grappling with inflation concerns and economic uncertainty, an audit of the nation’s gold reserves could be seen as an effort to restore confidence in America’s financial stability.

Senator Cynthia Lummis, a known advocate for financial transparency and digital assets, has also voiced support for the audit. She believes that verifying the nation’s gold holdings is crucial in shaping future economic policies and addressing inflation-related concerns.

Meanwhile, opposition voices are questioning whether Trump’s push for an audit is a political maneuver or a genuine attempt to ensure economic accountability. Critics argue that the audit could be used to shift attention away from other pressing economic issues and serve as a tool for political posturing.

As speculation continues to mount, all eyes will be on whether the audit actually takes place and what its findings might reveal. If the reserves are fully intact, it could put to rest decades of speculation. However, if discrepancies are found, it could have far-reaching implications for US financial policy and the global economy.

With Polymarket odds now reflecting a strong likelihood of an audit occurring before May 2025, and additional betting markets poised to launch, the coming months will likely see heightened discussions around gold, inflation, and the future of financial transparency in the United States.

For now, Trump’s commitment to auditing Fort Knox has injected fresh energy into financial and crypto communities alike, as they await further details on what could be one of the most significant gold reserve audits in modern history.