Key Points
- Trump’s inauguration speech did not include references to Bitcoin or cryptocurrency.
- Bitcoin’s price fell during the address, hovering near $100,000 after peaking at $109,000.
- The administration has made early moves suggesting a shift in crypto policy, despite a lack of specifics in the speech.
President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech on Monday marked the start of his administration but left the cryptocurrency world wondering about its place in the national agenda.
Despite hints during his campaign of a friendlier approach to digital assets, his address made no mention of Bitcoin, blockchain, or related technologies.
Crypto Silence Creates Uncertainty
As Trump delivered his inaugural remarks, Bitcoin’s price fell from an overnight high of $109,000 to test the $100,000 level. The lack of acknowledgment of crypto policy, coupled with recent volatility in the market, dampened some enthusiasm among investors who had hoped for clearer signals from the new administration.
Investors had expected at least a passing reference to the emerging role of cryptocurrencies, especially after pre-inauguration moves suggested the president might take a more supportive stance. Trump’s appointment of venture capitalist and former PayPal COO David Sacks as “A.I. & Crypto Czar” and his nomination of longtime crypto advocate Paul Atkins to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission were seen as promising steps.
However, the omission in Monday’s speech cast doubt on the immediate priority of these initiatives.
Memecoins and Mixed Signals
Adding to the confusion, the weekend saw the unexpected launch of two memecoins — one tied to Trump (TRUMP) and another associated with First Lady Melania Trump (MELANIA). These moves sparked speculative trading but also drew criticism for distracting from substantive issues.
Meanwhile, a GOP report on congressional priorities released just before the inauguration made no mention of cryptocurrency. Combined with Trump’s omission during his speech, this added to speculation that crypto policy may not see swift action in the early months of the administration.
@thecollegeinvestor Trump and Melania both launched meme coins over the weekend, with these coins topping $40B in valuation. #crypto #trump #melania #memecoins ♬ original sound - The College Investor
Final Thoughts
Despite the initial disappointment, most investors remain cautiously optimistic about the administration’s potential impact on the crypto industry. Trump’s early appointments suggest a willingness to rethink federal approaches to blockchain innovation and regulation, even if the rollout is slower than some hoped.
Betting markets reflected the tempered expectations. On Polymarket, the odds of the U.S. establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve during Trump’s first 100 days dipped from 60% earlier in the day to 40% after the speech.
As Bitcoin stabilizes near $100,000, the crypto community remains hopeful that more clarity will emerge in the coming months. For now, however, digital assets will have to wait their turn in Trump’s policy agenda.
Don't Miss These Other Stories:
Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him on the About Page, or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.
He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared towards anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.
He has been quoted in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, ABC, NBC, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.