SUMMARY
- Former President Donald Trump made a Bitcoin transaction while visiting PubKey, a crypto-themed bar in New York.
- This marks his continued engagement with the cryptocurrency industry.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump made history by conducting his first public Bitcoin transaction amid a visit to PubKey, a crypto-themed bar in New York City. The Republican presidential nominee, currently running for a third term, purchased cheeseburgers utilizing Bitcoin, making him the first U.S. president, sitting or former, to utilize the Bitcoin network in a public setting. The occasion took place ahead of his rally in Long Island and just days after Trump launched his new crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, which affirmed it will issue a governance token called WLFI. The PubKey event was captured in a Fox News video showing Trump completing the exchange with the assistance of PubKey staff, highlighting his continuous endeavors to engage with the cryptocurrency community.
This appearance is part of a broader strategy by Trump to gain support from the crypto industry. Once a vocal critic of Bitcoin—having previously expelled it as a “scam” and portraying cryptocurrencies as “based on thin air”—Trump’s position has experienced a striking shift. He presently promotes policies aimed at making the U.S. a pioneer in cryptocurrency, including supporting for Bitcoin miners and talking at high-profile industry events, such as the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville. His advancing position reflects a calculated endeavor to align his campaign with the developing impact of digital assets.
The NYC bar visit was moreover attended by noticeable crypto advocate Anthony Pompliano, CEO of Professional Capital Management, further signaling Trump’s commitment to grasping this sector. His engagement in the cryptocurrency space has escalates, especially with the launch of World Liberty Financial, a project involving a few members of his family. Trump’s presence at PubKey, where he handed out what he called “crypto burgers,” has drawn attention to his endeavors to court the crypto community, in sharp contrast to his prior views.
As Trump’s campaign continues to turn toward cryptocurrency backing, this latest move marks a turning point in his economic agenda. His grasp of digital resources, alongside his feedback of earlier regulatory activities, is likely to be a key issue in his third bid for the presidency. With his recently discovered support for the crypto industry, Trump is situating himself as a pro-crypto candidate, aiming to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.” This key move signals a broader trend in his campaign, as he works to capture the attention of crypto enthusiasts and miners alike.