Benzinga - Ex-President Donald Trump made headlines when he announced that his 2024 presidential campaign would accept cryptocurrency donations.
This move marks a major shift in his stance on digital currencies (he previously called Bitcoin a scam).
The twice-impeached and quadruple-indicted Republican is also the first major presidential candidate to embrace crypto for fundraising purposes (although independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been accepting Bitcoin donations for months).
Trump’s pivot comes as his campaign looks to draw support from voters who have grown disgruntled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Biden administration for its strict stance on cryptocurrency companies.
Trump’s camp also sees cryptocurrency as a means to raise money for his legal bills.
This strategy counters the anti-crypto sentiment often associated with President Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders, including Senator Elizabeth Warren.
The White House did outline a regulatory framework for the crypto industry in 2022 that stressed “commonsense efficiency standards for cryptocurrency mining.”
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Implications for the Crypto Market The campaign's announcement highlighted that contributions could be made in various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin.
Experts are divided on the impact of Trump's move.
David Hoffman, co-owner at Bankless, suggests that the former president's interest in crypto might be superficial. In contrast, Ryan Selkis, CEO of Messari Crypto, viewed the development positively, noting Trump's recent influence on the crypto market and regulatory environment.
Trump has benefited significantly from cryptocurrency. He has received millions in cryptocurrency from NFT projects that bear his photoshopped likeness; sold at least 1,075 ETH for $2.4 million in proceeds; and tapped Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey on a “day 1” cryptocurrency policy.
Future of Digital Assets Event in NYC The broader implications of Trump’s decision and the evolving role of digital assets will be explored at Benzinga's Future of Digital Assets event in New York City on November 19. This one-day gathering will feature industry leaders, investors, and policymakers discussing digital asset trends and future directions. The event promises to offer valuable discussions and networking opportunities, bringing together over 1,000 capital markets leaders for a day of meetings, executive roundtables, and panel discussions.
The event will cover various topics, including the state of digital asset adoption, risk and security in the industry, and integrating digital assets into investment portfolios. Panels will explore the unintended consequences of regulations, the future of NFTs and metaverses, and the role of digital assets in the fourth industrial revolution. Attendees will also have the chance to engage in small group discussions with executives and thought leaders, gaining deeper insights into the challenges and opportunities in the digital assets space.
Now Read: Historians Compare Trump’s Usage Of Hitler-Phrase ‘Vermin’ To Autocratic Rhetoric
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