Trump said politics, profits and concern that China could dominate crypto helped drive his move into the sector. Speaking while announcing “Trump Accounts,” he was asked whether the minor savings program would accommodate Bitcoin.
“I’ve become a big crypto guy only for one reason: If we don’t have it, China’s going to have it. But now they’re not even trying that hard, because we’ve taken over,” Trump said.
He said he was not initially interested in crypto and knew little about it. His position changed after he watched the market grow from a niche area into a financial powerhouse. Trump said he entered the industry “a little” for political reasons after seeing its fanbase.
The shift attracted support from the crypto lobby, which spent $170 million in the 2024 election and is expected to fund pro-crypto candidates this November.
Bitcoin Rises After Oval Office Comments
Bitcoin rose after Trump’s remarks, gaining 0.4% to $63,822. It followed his embrace of the “big crypto guy” label and his decision to leave open whether digital assets could be included in the program. He did not make a promise.
Earlier, Bitcoin had fallen as much as 2% toward $60,000 after Strategy’s disclosures. The firm liquidated $216 million of its Bitcoin holdings, walking back Michael Saylor’s “never sell” mantra and unsettling some investors.
The 503A Trump Accounts opened over the holiday weekend, offering $1,000 starter investments to U.S. children born between January 1, 2025, and the end of 2028. The program aims to build wealth through diversified exchange-traded funds.
Trump Faces Crypto Profit Scrutiny
Trump’s comments marked a reversal from his first term, when he criticized Bitcoin as a scam. Since then, his family has built commercial ties to crypto, drawing scrutiny over possible conflicts of interest.
Recent disclosures showed his family earned more than $1.4 billion from crypto ventures in 2025. Data published by The New York Times said nearly one million $TRUMP meme coin investors lost $3.81 billion, while Trump captured upward of $600 million. He also earned $800 million from World Liberty Financial, which he co-founded with his family.
Senator Elizabeth Warren called it “brazen crypto corruption.” Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said the president’s “infinite greed is disgusting.” Trump said his interest is “not a question of a personal thing” and that he does not discuss crypto with his family. “I don’t talk to them, ever, talk to them about it,” he said.
Trump praised his administration for dropping SEC inquiries and enforcement actions against digital asset firms, saying, “Every time I see a crypto guy where they dropped an investigation, I said: ‘You’re lucky I’m president.’”
