As former President Donald Trump takes the White House again on the 20th of January, people all over the world will be watching closely to see how markets react.
And whilst many experts are expecting the dollar to rally, they are also keeping a close eye on crypto.
During his campaign run, Donald Trump described himself as the ‘pro-crypto’ candidate, pledging to make the US the ‘crypto capital of the planet’.
When he won the election, Bitcoin’s price started to rally, hitting all time highs of $103,332 per coin. Now, experts are wondering what will happen when he actually takes the Presidency.
What Events Have Previously Caused Bitcoin To Rally?
There have been a few rallies for Bitcoin. In its very early days, it was being sold at a 1:1 rate, but as we well know, this has dramatically changed over time.
Some major events included:
- In 2013 the first bull run, fuelled by media attention for the cryptocurrency, saw it increase from $145 to $1,200.
- The next big event happened in 2017 when it rose from around $1000 to $20,000, pushing the crypto into mainstream conversations and solidifying it as a real financial asset that investors were considering. This caused a huge bout of media coverage, further pushing the coin up.
- After a drop down to $8000 in January 2020, it quickly rose to $64,000 in April 2021. This was fuelled by companies investing with names like Tesla and Square saying that they would accept Bitcoin as currency. The slight drop after this was due to concerns about how much energy bitcoin was using to be mined, but many people piled in, seeing it as a good investment.
- In 2024, approval by the SEC and Bitcoin’s halving further shot the coin up to around $93,000. This was then pushed up at the end of the year by Donald Trump’s victory, which signalled a new era for bitcoin as a widely adopted currency.
Source: Kucoin
What Could Be The Negative Impacts Of Trump’s Presidency on Bitcoin?
Whilst crypto holders are certainly excited to see what January 20th brings, there should also be an element of caution. Some elements that might be negatively affected include:
Lack of clarity around regulations: In the early stages, this could make it difficult for companies to know where they stand, causing some hesitancy to adoption.
Environmental impact: The Trump administration has historically prioritised economic growth over the environment. Given one of the main criticisms of bitcoin is that it uses a lot of energy, this might mean this element isn’t addressed, still deterring people and businesses.
Nationalisation of trade: Trump’s policies are ‘America First’, meaning only US crypto firms will see the benefits. This could make it difficult for crypto businesses to grow outside of the USA.
To find out what 2025 and the Trump presidency has in store for crypto, we asked the experts. Here’s what they had to say….
Our Experts
- Rish Kumar, Global Head Ambassador at Polkadot
- Tom Kiddle, Co-founder of Palisade
- Henry Humphreys, Managing Partner of Humphreys Law
- Grzegorz Drozdz, Market Analyst at Invest.Conotoxia.com
- Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki, CEO of Concordium
- Paul Smith, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Touchstone Education
- Peter Kris, CEO and Co-Founder of Gasp
For any questions, comments or features, please contact us directly.
Rish Kumar, Global Head Ambassador at Polkadot
“Bitcoin hit a new all-time high following Trump’s election victory in November. This surge created optimism among crypto enthusiasts who see Trump as a leader likely to encourage innovation and reduce government control over decentralized assets.
“A Trump administration could attract new investments into crypto, with larger financial institutions eager for a more favourable regulatory environment. This could be a turning point for further mainstream adoption and growth.”
Tom Kiddle – Co-founder of Palisade
“Businesses in the digital asset sector are naturally cautious about operating in the US. So far, the country has done little to advance a clear crypto regulatory framework. However, Trump’s nomination of pro-crypto Paul Atkins could mark the dawn of a new era for the sector.
“It presents an opportunity to reset the regulatory conversation and embrace a more forward-thinking approach that prioritises collaboration over conflict.
“The US is at a crossroads. If the SEC adopts a constructive stance, the country could finally reclaim its position as a global leader in blockchain innovation rather than watching talent and capital drain to emerging economies. Other markets such as those in the EU under MiCA are providing clear and competitive frameworks. This leaves the US with no choice but to rethink its strategy if it wants to remain relevant.
“If the US wants to attract and develop a competitive crypto sector, it must establish a clear regulatory framework akin to the EU’s MiCA, which provides the regulatory clarity that crypto businesses seek. For the US to build a similarly competitive framework, licenses should be issued at the federal level, eliminating the need for separate approvals.”
Henry Humphreys, Managing Partner of Humphreys Law
“It’s already happened. The price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies shot up to record highs when the markets priced in a Trump win in 2024. He’s now won and on a promise of de-regulation. Gary Gensler of the SEC had been the focal point of the prior regime, categorizing just about all forms of tokens as securities that failed the Howey test and to a large extent driving the industry offshore to Cayman, BVI and elsewhere (and into jurisdictions like Panama where there is no KYC and AML legislation at all).
“We wait now to see whether Trump will walk the walk having talked the talk, and whether a hundred years of US securities laws will be remoulded for a tokenized world. Certainly, those with a vested interest in crypto are now right behind Trump in the driving seat, Musk their standard bearer but in addition various other Silicon Valley grandees who have moved out of the shadows of federal politics to be setting the agenda for the US and then by definition large parts of the rest of the world.”
Grzegorz Drozdz, Market Analyst at Invest.Conotoxia.com
“Donald Trump, who voiced strong support for cryptocurrencies during his presidential campaign, may accelerate their integration into the financial system. His election victory coincides with the resignation of the SEC chair Gary Gensler, known for his strict regulatory stance on crypto.
“Gensler will step down on January 20, and Trump announced that Paul Atkins, a former SEC commissioner and crypto advocate, will take his place.
“Trump aims to make the U.S. the “world’s crypto capital” by introducing favorable regulations and ending the tough enforcement actions seen under Gensler’s leadership. This move is expected to bring significant relief to the cryptocurrencies industry, which faced numerous legal challenges in recent years.
“Despite Trump’s pro-crypto stance, it is unlikely that any cryptocurrency will become part of the Fed’s reserves, which currently consist of assets like gold, bonds, and foreign currencies. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell stressed that security and stability are key factors, and bitcoin must meet these criteria before being considered a reserve asset.
“The market reaction to Trump’s victory has been immediate. Stablecoin capitalization has surged by 19 percent, and ETF funds have acquired over $12 billion worth of bitcoin within two months, indicating growing investor confidence in the sector under a crypto-friendly administration.”
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Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki, CEO of Concordium
“I see a potential paradigm shift ahead for digital assets. The $3 trillion market surge we’re witnessing is likely just the beginning of a broader transformation. Trump’s pledge to make America a “Bitcoin superpower” signals more than just political rhetoric – it represents a fundamental pivot in regulatory approach that could unleash unprecedented institutional adoption.
“The anticipated replacement of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler with Paul Atkins could finally provide the regulatory clarity that major financial institutions have been waiting for. This is particularly crucial for enterprise-grade blockchain platforms that prioritize compliance and transparency.
“What makes this moment especially significant is its timing with the AI revolution. As we grapple with AI-generated misinformation and digital trust issues, blockchain technology offers essential solutions. Projects focused on AI verification and digital identity authentication are positioned to capture enormous value.
“The convergence of pro-crypto policies, institutional appetite, and technological necessity creates a unique moment for the industry. While market volatility is inevitable, the structural changes ahead could fundamentally reshape how digital assets integrate into the global financial system.”
Paul Smith, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Touchstone Education
“Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to creating a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. If implemented, this would mark a historic shift in government policy, legitimizing BTC as a strategic asset. Other nations are experiencing FOMO so to say, prompting them to consider Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, economic instability, and fiat devaluation.
“Ongoing geopolitical instability, trade wars, and high global inflation are weakening traditional fiat currencies. Investors and governments are increasingly turning to BTC as “digital gold” for wealth preservation. Bitcoin’s finite supply of 21 million coins makes it inherently scarce, further increasing its value as demand grows.
“Given these drivers, I predict Bitcoin will continue its trajectory higher, with several key milestones; MicroStrategy’s inclusion in the NASDAQ 100 and Coinbase’s addition to the S&P 500 will trigger inflows from institutional tracker funds. Governments worldwide, driven by economic instability and the need to hedge risk, will invest in Bitcoin. If the United States moves forward with creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, as Trump has committed, the resulting institutional demand could send BTC to unprecedented levels.”
Peter Kris, CEO and Co-Founder of Gasp
“It looks like Trump’s presidency will be good for the crypto industry. Even Elon Musk and JD Vance are generally positive on crypto, so we can expect a friendlier approach from the Trump administration.
“Other voices like Federal Reserve Governor Waller are excited about DeFi as an extension of traditional finance, where crypto railways allow faster and cheaper spread of the digital dollar (stablecoins). Many non-U.S. founders are now considering incorporating business entities in the U.S.”
For any questions, comments or features, please contact us directly.
