While both U.S. presidential candidates hold crypto, only one has repeatedly launched NFT projects.
- Both candidates strongly opposed the CBDC and agreed that the government should stockpile Bitcoin.
- Donald Trump focused only on freeing Ross Ulbricht, while RFK Jr. also mentioned Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.
- Trump’s holdings can be traced publicly, while RFK Jr.’s remains unknown.
- While Trump launched his NFT collection in Dec 2022, he only officially supported Bitcoin and crypto around May 2024.
U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump’s speech at the Bitcoin 2024 conference emphasized that Bitcoin symbolizes freedom, sovereignty, and independence from government control. He highlighted its potential to enhance economic strength and financial privacy.
Competing U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also demonstrated his deep understanding of Bitcoin, contrasting it with Trump’s recent shift to become fully pro-crypto. Kennedy highlighted his long-standing commitment and in-depth knowledge of Bitcoin, positioning himself as a more experienced advocate for the cryptocurrency’s potential.
Here are some of Trump’s major promises:
- On day one, Trump will fire Gary Gensler and appoint a new SEC chairman (this statement earned the largest applause from the audience).
- Create a US Government strategic national Bitcoin stockpile if elected.
- Preserve the 200,000 BTC held by the U.S. government and all future Bitcoin purchases as strategic assets.
- Reaffirm his pledge to commute Ross Ulbricht’s sentence.
- Oppose the creation of a CBDC.
- End the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ anti-crypto crusade will be over.
RFK Jr., speaking a day before Donald Trump at his second Bitcoin Conference, predicted many of Trump’s remarks. He applauded Trump’s announcement but emphasized his own plans to go even further if elected.
Here are some of RFK Jr.’s major promises:
- Transfer the 200,000 BTC held by the U.S. government to the Treasury as a strategic asset and sign an executive order to buy 550 BTC daily until reserves reach 4 million BTC.
- Direct the IRS to make BTC-to-dollar transactions non-taxable and recognize Bitcoin as eligible for 1031 exchanges into real property.
- Prevent CBDCs.
- Use Bitcoin to incentivize investments in green energy and partner Bitcoin mining with renewable projects.
- Use Bitcoin to hedge inflation.
- Leverage Bitcoin as a cyber defense system to protect against potential cyber-attacks.
- Pardon Ross Ulbricht, Julian Assange, and Edward Snowden on day one.
- Ensure Bitcoin ownership remains decentralized.
RFK Jr. focuses on transferring 200,000 Bitcoin to the Treasury and purchasing 550 Bitcoin daily for reserves. Donald Trump also emphasizes immediate regulatory changes, including firing SEC Chairman Gary Gensler.
Similarities and Differences in Approach
Both advocate for integrating Bitcoin into the US economy, ending anti-crypto policies, and emphasizing Bitcoin’s role in national security and economic strength. Despite different approaches, they agree on these core issues.
- Saving the 200,000 BTC that the U.S. government holds.
- Prevent CBDCs
- Pardon Ross Ulbricht
- Protecting decentralization and the right to self-custody
Regarding differences, RFK Jr. presented more detailed plans and expanded his agenda. At the same time, Trump focused on political actions like firing SEC Chairman Gary Gensler and ending the Biden administration’s anti-crypto policies.
RFK Jr. proposed that the government hold 4 million Bitcoins and make BTC-to-U.S. dollar transactions non-taxable. He also emphasized using Bitcoin to incentivize green energy, pardoning Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, and leveraging Bitcoin for cyber defense.
Donald Trump’s Familiarity with Crypto
While both candidates are popular in the crypto space, their approaches differ significantly. Trump recently adopted a pro-crypto stance, focusing on immediate regulatory changes. In contrast, RFK Jr. has long advocated cryptocurrency, with detailed proposals and strategic initiatives reflecting his deeper experience in the space.
Here’s a summary of key shifts in Trump’s views on crypto:
- July 2019 — Said he wasn’t a fan of crypto.
- Dec 2021 — Said he never loved crypto, calling it “dangerous.”
- March 2024 — Described Bitcoin as an “additional form of currency” in a CNBC interview.
- May 2024 — Officially expressed his support for crypto.
Check out the full Evolution of Donald Trump’s view on crypto
Donald Trump has achieved significant commercial success in crypto, not only as a holder but also as an issuer of his own NFT series, including his famous mug shot collection. According to TradingView, Trump has cashed out $2.4 million in Ethereum, largely profiting from his NFT collections. He recently announced the launch of a fourth batch of NFTs, citing their ongoing success.
According to Arkham Intelligence, Trump-linked wallets hold over $7.8 million in crypto, peaking at over $26 million. He has raised over $4 million in crypto alone, per CNBC. Additionally, Trump has made notable moves in the crypto industry, including meeting with three of the world’s five largest Bitcoin mining companies.
Donald Trump Met with 3 of the Top 5 Bitcoin Mining Companies, Worth 26% of the US’ Total Hash Power
Trump’s vice presidential candidate, JD Vance, owns cryptocurrency and has supported the industry. This aligns with Trump’s pro-crypto stance and commitment to promoting digital currencies within the US economy.
RFK Jr.’s Familiarity with Crypto
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made no known public statements about cryptocurrency before 2023. In 2023, he announced his presidential campaign would be the first to accept Bitcoin donations via the Lightning Network. He also delivered a keynote at the Bitcoin 2023 conference, outlining plans to make Bitcoin a reserve asset.
He has also detailed his crypto plans, advocating for policies that allow individuals to manage their own Bitcoin, wallets, nodes, and passwords while ensuring robust anti-money laundering measures are in place.
RFK Jr. has criticized Trump’s recent pro-crypto stance, questioning his commitment to the industry. He has been vocal about opposing the U.S. government’s attempts to ban cryptocurrency and has consistently supported the right to self-custody.
Presidential candidate RFK Jr. says he’s going to place the entire US budget on the blockchain
The presidential candidate plans to propose a scheme for the U.S. government to match its $615 billion gold reserves with Bitcoin. He has also stated that he holds most of his wealth in Bitcoin.
According to RFK Jr.’s June 30, 2023, financial disclosure, he held between $100,001 and $250,000 worth of Bitcoin, purchasing 14 BTC for his children and giving them 2 BTC each, per Cointelegraph. His net worth is estimated to be around $25 million, although this figure has not been confirmed, according to CryptoSlate.
In an exclusive Cointelegraph interview, RFK Jr. said he got into Bitcoin after the trucker strike in Canada in early 2022 when the government froze the bank accounts of those associated with the protests.
Unlike JD Vance, RFK Jr.’s vice presidential candidate, Nicole Shanahan, has not taken a stance on cryptocurrency. However, she is a tech entrepreneur and attorney with extensive experience in AI and patent management.
Which Candidate Is Better for Crypto?
RFK Jr. has publicly supported Bitcoin since 2023 and said he got into it around 2022. In contrast, Trump launched his own NFT collection in December 2022 and has continued to succeed in the crypto space through his NFT ventures
Trump’s crypto holdings are mostly traceable through linked wallets on Arkham Intelligence, while RFK Jr.’s crypto wallet remains unknown, making it difficult to verify his holdings. Additionally, the amount of crypto RFK Jr. has received in campaign donations has not been reported.
Disclaimer: This article does not endorse any political candidate and aims only to differentiate their approaches to key crypto topics.
