compiled by Elmili TK
The crypto industry is abuzz ahead of Friday’s White House summit on digital assets—an event that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. The idea of cryptocurrency executives meeting with the president and the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) once seemed far-fetched.
But times have changed. After more than $130 million in political action committee spending, crypto has gone from financial outsider to mainstream player. No previous White House administration—including Trump’s first term—treated crypto as a legitimate industry, let alone one worthy of a high-profile summit. Now, that perception has shifted dramatically.
Friday’s meeting, set for 1:30 p.m. ET, will bring together top crypto figures such as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and billionaire entrepreneur Michael Saylor. Representing the White House will be venture capitalist and Trump’s crypto advisor David Sacks, digital assets task force leader Bo Hines, and acting SEC Chairman Mark Uyeda.
For the industry, the summit is both a victory lap and an opportunity to show appreciation to the president for his support. “I think the most important thing that’s going to happen tomorrow is all of us expressing our gratitude to the president for laying out a really positive and ambitious agenda for the U.S. to lead in crypto,” said Faryar Shirzad, chief policy officer at Coinbase. He emphasized that companies are increasing their investments in the U.S. because of the administration’s approach.
Beyond the praise for President Trump, the meeting’s agenda will cover key industry priorities, including pending legislation, regulatory clarity, and tax policies—especially efforts to remove capital gains taxes on crypto transactions. However, the main focus will likely be on the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a concept announced by Sacks on social media Thursday night.
The idea of a government-run bitcoin reserve would have seemed laughable under any previous administration. The plan, as outlined in Trump’s executive order, involves the U.S. Treasury Department managing a reserve funded with bitcoin seized in criminal or civil asset forfeitures. The initiative mirrors the country’s existing reserves of gold and petroleum, aiming to provide a financial hedge.
Trump first floated the idea during his campaign, winning favor among crypto supporters. However, the final version of the reserve plan differs from earlier proposals. Earlier this week, Trump’s social media post suggested the reserve would include not only bitcoin and ether but also three smaller, more volatile tokens. That announcement briefly sparked a surge in crypto prices, but the enthusiasm faded as details remained unclear.
Fueling speculation, reports emerged of a Trump-linked crypto wallet purchasing over $20 million worth of ether and a bitcoin derivative (WBTC) just days before the summit. Industry insiders are eager to see whether Friday’s meeting will bring further clarity.
For crypto leaders, regulatory guidance remains a top priority. “Our focus is very much on getting legislation done,” Shirzad said. “Once you have that, then you’ve got the building blocks and the regulatory framework that allows all of us to invest, build, and modernize the financial system.”
While the crypto industry celebrates its newfound influence in Washington, the market remains volatile. This week, global trade concerns and economic uncertainties shook financial markets, and crypto was no exception. Bitcoin, which surged to a record $109,000 on Inauguration Day, fluctuated around $90,000 on Thursday, following Trump’s shifting messages on tariffs.
Scott Melker, investor and host of The Wolf of All Streets podcast, summed up the market’s uncertainty: “Investors are watching these meetings like a hawk. If we get vague statements and no clear direction, expect disappointment and volatility. We’ve seen this before—big expectations, little substance.”
