At the world’s largest Bitcoin conference, Donald Trump positioned himself as the candidate who will support the cryptocurrency industry and help it avoid federal scrutiny. Speaking to over 10,000 people at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, Tennessee, Trump vowed to make the United States the crypto capital of the world if re-elected. He expressed his belief that under his leadership, the value of Bitcoin could surpass that of gold.
Trump also criticized President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their “war on crypto” and promised to fire Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler, who is leading a regulatory crackdown on digital currency. His announcement was met with cheers from the crowd. Additionally, Trump pledged to appoint a Bitcoin and crypto presidential advisory council to help regulate the industry in a way that supports its growth while being overseen by individuals who understand and appreciate the industry.
Despite his previous skepticism towards the crypto market, Trump has embraced digital currency in recent years and his campaign began accepting donations in crypto starting in May. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance, has also introduced pro-crypto legislation and is a stakeholder in Bitcoin. Supporters of cryptocurrency are optimistic that a Trump return to the White House could lead to Bitcoin becoming more mainstream.
On the Democratic side, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro campaigned in the Keystone State for Kamala Harris, who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after Democrats ousted Biden from the ticket. Shapiro, a leading contender to become Harris’ running mate, is viewed as a moderate choice who can balance out Harris’ more liberal record. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are also top contenders for the position, with Harris expected to make her choice by August 7.
Harris embarked on a four-month sprint to the 2024 election after becoming the Democratic nominee, with Shapiro seen as a popular choice in the Keystone State. During her campaign efforts, Harris attended a fundraiser in Massachusetts where she raised $1.4 million, exceeding the initial goal of $400,000. She also addressed a virtual conference for Voters of Tomorrow, a progressive organization representing young voters that have pledged their support to her campaign.
Overall, the 2024 presidential campaign is shaping up to be a competitive race, with candidates on both sides focusing on key issues such as cryptocurrency regulation and youth engagement. Trump’s support of Bitcoin and the crypto industry, as well as Harris’ efforts to appeal to a broad base of voters, highlight the importance of these issues in the upcoming election. With the selection of running mates and the official nominations yet to come, the political landscape is set for further development in the weeks leading up to the election.
