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Trump’s Crypto Policy: Bitcoin and Digital Assets Enter the Strategic Asset Class

President Trump Designates Bitcoin and Four Other Cryptocurrencies as Strategic Assets

On March 2 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump officially announced that the United States would stockpile five cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, as strategic national assets. Through Truth Social, President Trump stated, “I will make America the global capital of digital assets,” instructing officials to strategically accumulate Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA).

U.S. Government Recognizes Cryptocurrencies as Strategic Assets

In January, President Trump signed an executive order to establish a working group responsible for managing and accumulating cryptocurrency assets. However, this is the first time he has explicitly mentioned specific cryptocurrencies. Analysts believe that this move could elevate cryptocurrencies to the same status as gold and oil as key strategic assets.

Forbes noted that “this announcement signifies that U.S. authorities now view cryptocurrencies as legitimate financial instruments capable of strengthening the national economy and security.” Previously, cryptocurrencies were not widely accepted as official assets due to their volatility and regulatory uncertainty. This recognition marks a shift toward positioning cryptocurrencies as essential tools within the U.S. economic framework, similar to oil and gold.

President Trump’s Shift in Stance

During his first term, President Trump was highly critical of cryptocurrencies, calling them a “scam.” He expressed concerns that cryptocurrencies could compete with the U.S. dollar and was openly opposed to their adoption. However, his stance started shifting during his recent election campaign. In July 2023, Trump declared, “It will be my administration’s policy to accumulate all Bitcoin owned or acquired by the U.S. government as a strategic national asset.”

Market Response and Cryptocurrency Price Surge

Following President Trump’s announcement, the cryptocurrency market experienced a sharp rally:

Bitcoin surged 10.38% to reach $94,482.
Ethereum climbed 15.85% to $2,525.
Ripple (XRP) and Solana (SOL) jumped 32% and 23%, respectively.
Cardano (ADA) skyrocketed by over 65%.

According to cryptocurrency data analytics firm CoinGecko, the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies surged by approximately $329 billion within three hours of Trump’s statement, reaching $3.24 trillion. With expectations of further government acquisitions, investor optimism has significantly increased.

Roles and Strategic Value of Cryptocurrencies

Forbes analyzed the roles of the five cryptocurrencies designated for strategic stockpiling by President Trump:

Bitcoin (BTC): Functions as a digital safe-haven asset, similar to gold.
Ethereum (ETH): Key to innovation through smart contracts.
Ripple (XRP): Revolutionizes global remittance and payment systems.
Solana (SOL): Offers high-speed transactions and scalability.
Cardano (ADA): Strengthens identity verification and decentralized networks.

Additionally, the U.S. government sees potential in using cryptocurrencies to reinforce the dollar’s dominance in the global financial system. The rise of stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to the U.S. dollar—has alleviated concerns that digital assets could undermine the dollar. Instead, stablecoins are increasingly being seen as a tool to integrate cryptocurrencies into the dollar-based financial system, potentially strengthening U.S. monetary influence. Lucrezia Reichlin, an economics professor at the London School of Economics, stated, “Stablecoins could serve as a means of international trade settlement and global reserves, indirectly reinforcing the superiority of the U.S. dollar.”

Congressional Approval Required

To officially classify cryptocurrencies as strategic assets alongside gold, oil, and foreign currency reserves, approval from the U.S. Congress is necessary. Currently, the Senate is reviewing the ‘Bitcoin Reserve Bill’, introduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). This legislation proposes that the U.S. Treasury acquire 1 million Bitcoin over five years and hold them for at least 20 years. A similar bill was introduced last year but was shelved due to the expiration of the legislative session.

Future Outlook

President Trump’s decision is expected to have significant implications not only for the cryptocurrency market but also for the global financial landscape. If the U.S. government moves forward with large-scale cryptocurrency stockpiling, the role of digital assets in the global financial system will likely expand. However, challenges such as congressional approval and regulatory concerns remain.

If the Trump administration unveils a concrete acquisition plan, cryptocurrency prices could see further gains. However, regulatory uncertainties and political factors may also contribute to market volatility. The direction of U.S. government policies and congressional decisions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the cryptocurrency market.

Apple’s Response to Trump’s Tariff Policies: A Historic Investment in the U.S.

Trump’s Tariff Threats

In 2025, President Donald Trump implemented strong tariff policies aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit and protecting domestic industries. His administration imposed an additional 25% tariff on products imported from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. While these policies aimed to protect specific U.S. industries, they also heightened tensions with trade partners and raised concerns about potential economic downsides, such as slower growth, job losses, and rising consumer prices.

Apple’s Response: A Massive Investment Plan

In response, Apple announced a historic investment plan in the United States to counter the effects of these tariff policies. According to Bloomberg and other international media reports on the 24th, Apple pledged to invest approximately $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, creating more than 20,000 new jobs. This marks the largest investment Apple has ever made in the U.S., surpassing its previous commitment of hiring 20,000 research and development (R&D) personnel over the past five years and its 2021 announcement of a $430 billion investment over five years.

Focus Areas of Apple’s Investment

According to Apple, the newly created 20,000 jobs will focus on R&D, silicon engineering, and artificial intelligence (AI). The plan includes building a new factory in Houston, Texas, to produce servers for Apple’s AI service, ‘Apple Intelligence,’ and doubling its ‘Advanced Manufacturing Fund’ from $5 billion to $10 billion. This announcement came just days after a meeting between President Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook. After their discussion, President Trump stated, “He [Tim Cook] told me he would invest hundreds of billions of dollars.” Analysts suggest that Apple’s massive U.S. investment is an effort to negotiate an exemption from the new tariffs imposed on Chinese imports.

The Trump-Cook Meeting and Its Implications

Apple has previously succeeded in securing tariff exemptions during Trump’s first administration by arguing that tariffs on Chinese-made products would unfairly benefit competitors such as Samsung. This allowed Apple to maintain its profit margins while avoiding significant price increases.

Apple’s Previous Success in Tariff Exemptions

On the 24th, Apple’s stock price on the New York Stock Exchange rose by 0.63% to $247.10 in response to the announcement. Tim Cook expressed his excitement, stating, “We are pleased to expand our support for U.S. manufacturing and will collaborate with people and businesses across the country to write a remarkable new chapter in American innovation.” President Trump also acknowledged the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, by thanking Tim Cook and Apple.

Apple’s massive investment underscores how global companies are navigating protectionist trade policies. By strengthening domestic production and negotiating with governments, companies aim to secure favorable conditions while mitigating the impact of tariffs. The future implications of Trump’s trade policies on global businesses remain an important issue to watch.

The Changing World and the Rising Value of Gold

The Changing World

When a country’s leader, in other words, its president, changes, many aspects of that country also change. Recently, the President of the United States has changed. Since the U.S. is a global superpower, the change of its president can be seen as the change of the world’s leader. Since Donald Trump took office, various global economic conditions have been shifting.

Gold: The Resurging Asset

According to the Financial Times, gold is once again being recognized as a key safe-haven asset, emerging as a major component of the so-called “Trump Trade.” Since Donald Trump became the President of the United States, concerns over a global trade war and economic slowdown have increased, leading to a steady rise in investment demand for gold.

On the 13th, gold prices surged to $2,942.70 per ounce, marking a 7% increase from the time of Trump’s inauguration. In comparison, the S&P 500 index on the New York Stock Exchange rose by only 2% during the same period. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index, U.S. Treasury yields, and Bitcoin prices have declined. The dollar index fell from 109 to 106, and the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropped from 4.62% to 4.48%. Bitcoin, which had exceeded $107,000 before Trump’s inauguration, has now fallen to $97,000. Similarly, the cryptocurrency owned by the author has also seen a decline in value. Trump’s expansion of tariffs has fueled concerns over economic slowdown and inflation, which in turn has strengthened gold’s appeal. Nicky Shiels, an analyst at MKS PAMP, noted, “There is a positive correlation between tariffs and rising gold prices.”

Additionally, Trevor Grisham, Head of Multi-Assets at RLAM, stated, “Gold serves as a hedge not only against geopolitical risks but also against inflation and fluctuations in the U.S. dollar.”On the other hand, as Trump adopts a more gradual approach to tariff implementation, the currencies of export-dependent nations, such as the euro, have appreciated. Moreover, as market concerns shift from trade wars to economic growth slowdown, demand for U.S. Treasury bonds has increased.

While U.S. stock markets have been sluggish, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index has surged over 13% this year, and the Euro Stoxx 50 Index has climbed by 9%, outperforming other major indices.

What Should We Do?

Experts believe that future gold prices will be heavily influenced by global economic conditions and Trump’s policies. If trade conflicts and inflation fears persist, gold’s status as a safe-haven asset is expected to strengthen further. The global economy is changing rapidly, and it is up to us to adapt and respond effectively to these transformations.