TLDR
- Former U.S. President Donald Trump will speak at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville on July 27.
- Trump’s campaign now accepts cryptocurrency donations, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- Other politicians attending the conference include Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vivek Ramaswamy.
- Trump-related meme coins saw significant price increases after the announcement.
- Trump has changed his stance on cryptocurrencies, now positioning himself as supportive of the industry.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to speak at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 27.
This move marks a significant shift in Trump’s stance on cryptocurrencies and has sparked interest in the crypto community.
The Bitcoin 2024 Conference, running from July 25 to 27 at Nashville’s Music City Center, is one of the largest gatherings for Bitcoin enthusiasts and industry leaders.
Trump’s participation was announced by conference organizers on Wednesday, adding him to a lineup that already includes other political figures.
Among the notable speakers are independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and several sitting U.S. Senators.
The conference will also feature talks by Michael Saylor and Edward Snowden.
ANNOUNCING: PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO SPEAK AT #BITCOIN2024 pic.twitter.com/F2mwECVMTW
— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) July 10, 2024
Trump’s appearance at the conference is part of a broader strategy to engage with the crypto community. In May, the Trump campaign began accepting cryptocurrency donations, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Solana.
This decision fulfilled a promise Trump made to holders of his NFTs during an event at Mar-a-Lago, which many viewed as a turning point in the national crypto policy debate.
The former president’s evolving stance on cryptocurrencies represents a notable change from his previous position.
In the past, Trump had spoken out against Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, describing them as “highly volatile and based on thin air.” However, his recent actions suggest a more favorable view of the industry.
This shift has been well-received by some in the crypto world. The co-founders of the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, recently announced a $2 million Bitcoin donation to the Trump campaign.
Kraken co-founder Jesse Powell also made a significant donation, largely in Ethereum.
Trump’s crypto-friendly position aligns with the Republican Party’s draft policy platform, which pledges to protect Bitcoin and end what it calls the “un-American crypto crackdown” by the Biden administration.
The platform states,
“We will defend the right to mine Bitcoin and ensure every American has the right to self-custody of their digital assets and transact free from government surveillance and control.”
The announcement of Trump’s participation in the Bitcoin conference has had a noticeable impact on crypto markets. Trump-related meme coins saw significant price increases.
TrumpCoin (DJT) reportedly surged by nearly 50,000,000% within hours of the announcement, reaching a market capitalization of $143.1 million. Another coin, Satoshi Trump (MBGA), saw an increase of over 7,900%.
However, some experts in the crypto industry remain cautious about the motivations behind Trump’s newfound support for cryptocurrencies.
CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju and analyst Willy Woo have suggested that Trump’s actions might be more focused on securing votes rather than implementing substantial crypto policies.
The crypto industry’s reaction to Trump’s evolving stance has been mixed. While some view it as a positive development for the sector, others question whether it represents a genuine policy shift or is simply a campaign strategy.
