U.S. President Donald Trump made a virtual appearance at the Digital Asset Summit in Manhattan on Thursday, delivering a pre-taped speech that reinforced his pro-crypto stance while stopping short of announcing new policies. Speaking to a standing room-only crowd, Trump hailed cryptocurrency as a transformative force capable of driving unprecedented economic growth.
“Crypto is as big as you can get,” Trump declared, praising the industry’s potential to revolutionize banking, payments, and privacy. He emphasized that crypto pioneers have the power to enhance security, safety, and wealth for American consumers and businesses, ultimately unleashing “an explosion of economic growth.”
The remarks come amid growing speculation about whether Trump would unveil new executive actions related to digital assets, such as addressing debanking or crypto taxation. However, the speech largely reiterated steps his administration has already taken since he began his second term in January 2025. These include halting the sale of seized bitcoin, convening industry leaders with government officials, and ending what he described as the “last administration’s regulatory war on crypto and Bitcoin.”
Trump specifically criticized Operation Choke Point, an initiative under previous administrations aimed at restricting financial services to certain industries, calling it “a disgrace.” He assured attendees that such measures are now over, signaling a sharp departure from the regulatory approach of the Biden administration.
Since reclaiming office, Trump has signed two executive orders related to digital assets and established a working group to guide policy development. His administration also created a Bitcoin reserve using previously seized assets, further solidifying his commitment to fostering the crypto ecosystem.
While no new announcements were made during Thursday’s address, Trump reiterated his vision for the U.S. to lead the global charge in adopting next-generation financial technologies. “It’s an honor to speak with you about how the United States is going to dominate crypto and the next generation of financial technologies,” he said. “And it’s not going to be easy, but we’re way ahead.”
The speech marked Trump’s second engagement with the crypto community, following a live campaign appearance at Bitcoin Nashville in 2024. Over the past year, he has actively courted the industry, earning both financial contributions and electoral support from key players within the crypto space. Through his recent executive actions and efforts to roll back prior regulations, Trump continues to position himself as a staunch ally of the burgeoning digital asset sector.
As the industry eagerly awaits further developments, Trump’s appearance at the summit underscored his administration’s determination to make the U.S. a global leader in crypto innovation.