Former US President Donald Trump made waves at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, Tennessee, by declaring his intention to transform the United States into the “crypto capital of the world” if re-elected in November. Trump’s appearance at the conference signaled a significant shift in his stance on cryptocurrency, as he expressed “great respect for the Bitcoin community” and likened the crypto industry to the early days of the steel industry.
Trump’s pro-crypto rhetoric included bold predictions about Bitcoin’s future, suggesting it could eventually overtake gold. He described Bitcoin as “not just a marvel of technology” but “a miracle of cooperation and human achievement.” The former president’s newfound enthusiasm for cryptocurrency was coupled with his trademark political style, including criticisms of his opponents and promises of abundant energy production to support Bitcoin mining and AI development.
However, Trump is not alone in courting the cryptocurrency vote. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had already made headlines at the conference with an even more ambitious Bitcoin-friendly policy plan. Kennedy promised to issue an executive order requiring the US Justice Department to transfer its Bitcoin holdings into a strategic reserve and instructed the Treasury to purchase 500 BTC daily until reaching a significant position of dominance.
Amidst the political fervor, Edward Snowden provided a sobering counterpoint during his speech at the conference. He warned the crypto community against becoming too enamored with politicians who support Bitcoin solely for votes, advising attendees to “cast a vote, but don’t join a cult.” Snowden’s cautionary message emphasized the importance of maintaining independence and skepticism, even when politicians align with cryptocurrency interests.
