“From this day on, America will follow the rule that everyone in Bitcoin knows very well — never sell your Bitcoin.” -President Donald Trump, 3/7/25 at inaugural White House Crypto Summit

Wow, get this: the President of the United States just dropped a total Bitcoin maxim, right there at the White House, talking about America’s own Bitcoin stash!

Seriously, wild.

It’s pretty obvious the message has landed – Bitcoin is in a different league than all those other digital assets floating around.

And it’s not just talk. He backed it up by signing an executive order (EO) last night. This EO is a big deal, officially creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) – something separate and distinct from a general Digital Asset stockpile.

The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

About this new SBR, the President made it clear: the U.S. is holding onto its Bitcoin. No more selling sprees like we’ve seen before.

President Trump didn’t hold back, saying, “Unfortunately, in recent years, the U.S. government has foolishly sold tens of thousands of bitcoin (200,000, by some estimates). Can you believe it? Billions and billions of dollars just gone, because they sold too early.”

But here’s the good news: the President also mentioned his team is actively looking for ways to boost our Bitcoin holdings – and here’s the kicker – it’s not going to cost American taxpayers a dime.

“The Treasury and Commerce departments will be figuring out smart ways to get more bitcoin for the reserve, and we are absolutely committed to doing this without any cost to the taxpayers,” he emphasized.

He drove the point home: “We don’t want any cost to the taxpayers.” The plan is to build up the U.S. government’s Bitcoin stash in a way that’s “budget-neutral,” just like it said in that EO from last night.

Attendees

The Crypto Summit was packed! Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick were there, along with around 30 big names from the Bitcoin and crypto world. Think Michael Saylor (Strategy Executive Chairman), Brian Armstrong (Coinbase CEO), the Winklevoss twins (Gemini co-founders, Cameron and Tyler), and David Bailey (BTC Inc. CEO) – just to name a few.

Other key Trump administration figures were there too, including Kelly Loeffler, head of the Small Business Administration, and White House Crypto Czar David Sacks.

Sacks and Loeffler were both buzzing about how quickly Trump is moving on Bitcoin and crypto executive orders and legislation.

“Your administration is operating at tech startup speed,” Sacks pointed out.

“Actually, it’s even faster than any startup I’ve ever been involved with,” added the venture capitalist, who knows a thing or two about tech startups.

Secretary Lutnick chimed in, backing up the idea that President Trump really gets Bitcoin and crypto now, saying the President has totally embraced the tech.

“Blockchain and Bitcoin technology are now a core part of [the President’s] thinking,” Lutnick stated.

“We’re using blockchain, we’re using Bitcoin, and we’re going to use digital assets to push forward, and Donald Trump is the one leading the charge,” he added.

Stablecoins As Money, Bitcoin As Store Of Value

Okay, before you get *too* hyped about Lutnick mentioning “using” Bitcoin, it’s important to know that even with all the pro-Bitcoin vibes at the summit, using Bitcoin as *money* wasn’t on the table. The focus was all on Bitcoin as a savings tool, a store of value.

When it comes to digital assets seen as actual money, stablecoins are the clear frontrunners in the administration’s eyes.

Secretary Bessent doubled down on this, echoing the message from the first U.S. Press Conference on Digital Assets and the Subcommittee on Digital Assets hearing.

“We are really putting serious thought into the stablecoin regulatory framework,” Secretary Bessent explained. “And as President Trump has directed, we are committed to keeping the U.S. dollar as the world’s dominant reserve currency, and we see stablecoins as a key tool to help us do that.”

(Now, hold on before you start groaning about stablecoins – Bessent also dropped a pro-Bitcoin gem: “President Trump is building assets for the American people, while most past presidents have just been piling on debt.” Boom.)

What Wasn’t Discussed

Interestingly, on a summit preview call with senior White House officials, one official shot down the rumor that the administration would eliminate capital gains tax on crypto sales (which hits you even when you spend Bitcoin or crypto). They clearly said no way, it’s not happening, and it wouldn’t even be brought up at the summit. (And, yep, it wasn’t.)

Another thing that didn’t get any airtime was whether the U.S. Marshalls have given the Trump administration a proper audit of all the Bitcoin and digital assets they’re holding. Last we heard, they don’t really know what they’ve got! Also missing from the conversation: how the government plans to actually secure the private keys for all that Bitcoin in the SBR. (I was hoping to ask about that, but press questions weren’t allowed at the event.)

But hey, let’s not get bogged down in the nitty-gritty just yet.

It Was A Good Day

Instead, let’s take a page from Brian Armstrong’s book and agree – today was a win by any measure.

“It was a truly historic moment for the crypto industry,” Armstrong told Bitcoin Magazine after the summit wrapped up.

“President Trump has really breathed new life into this whole industry. Just a few years back, it felt like we were under attack, like some people were trying to kill crypto altogether. Talk about a 180 – now we’re invited to the White House, with the most pro-crypto president ever,” he added.

Armstrong also mentioned what’s next on his wish list: legislation. He wants to see laws passed to solidify all the positive Bitcoin and crypto moves the Trump administration is making.

“Congress is making some great progress on stablecoin and market structure bills, and hopefully they’ll codify this Strategic Bitcoin Reserve into law eventually, too.”