2025-01-14
Bitcoin has soared to $95,000 following reports that President-elect Donald Trump plans to issue executive orders to reshape cryptocurrency regulations on his first day in office.
The anticipated
orders aim to dismantle barriers faced by the crypto industry, including
contentious policies like the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121),
which has been criticized for discouraging banks from offering crypto-related
services.
Major Crypto
Policy Overhaul Expected
This SEC policy
requires companies holding crypto for clients to record these holdings as
liabilities, creating additional costs and risks for financial institutions.
SEC
Commissioner Hester Peirce, a known crypto advocate, has been critical of SAB
121’s selective implementation, describing it as a failure that favors large
banks while stifling broader industry participation.
Efforts to
repeal the measure last year garnered bipartisan support in Congress but were
vetoed by President Joe Biden. Trump’s administration is expected to prioritize
reversing this policy.
Crypto analysts
and industry leaders have welcomed the developments.
Zack Guzmán
highlighted the significance of SAB 121’s repeal as a catalyst for Bitcoin’s
growth, alongside advancements in fair-value accounting and the approval of
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Meanwhile,
crypto entrepreneur Julian Fahrer emphasized the impact of these reforms on
fostering institutional participation in digital assets.
Crypto Markets
Rebound on Policy Hopes
The news
sparked a surge in crypto markets, with Bitcoin recovering from a two-month low
of $89,000 to reach $95,000. Ethereum also rebounded, climbing from below
$3,000 to $3,100.
Altcoins, such
as AAVE, linked to Trump-affiliated financial ventures, saw rapid gains, with
AAVE jumping 5% within an hour.
A New Era for
Crypto Regulation
Trump’s
anticipated orders reportedly include measures to counter “de-banking”
practices that have hindered crypto businesses’ access to banking services.
FDIC Vice Chair
Travis Hill has called for clearer guidelines to support the industry, and
Trump’s team is reportedly considering restructuring banking regulators to
streamline oversight.
Additionally,
the incoming administration’s crypto-friendly appointments signal a shift in
policy direction.
Former
regulator Paul Atkins is set to lead the SEC, while David Sacks will assume the
newly created role of Crypto Czar.
Industry giants
such as Ripple, MoonPay, and Kraken have also lent significant support to
Trump’s inauguration, likely securing early influence in policy discussions.
Bitcoin Reserve
and Broader Crypto Initiatives
Speculation is
rife about a potential executive order to establish a national Bitcoin reserve,
with proposals suggesting a $21 billion investment over the next year.
As the world
watches Trump’s inauguration next week, the crypto industry anticipates a
pivotal shift in U.S. policy that could bolster growth, foster innovation, and
restore stability to the volatile cryptocurrency market.
For investors,
Trump’s pro-crypto agenda represents an era of opportunity underpinned by
institutional support and regulatory clarity.