2025-01-24
In a virtual address to the World
Economic Forum (WEF) on January 23, U.S. President Donald Trump declared his
ambition to position the United States as the "world capital of artificial
intelligence and crypto."
This marked one of Trump's first major
public speeches since taking office on January 20.
Speaking from Washington, D.C., Trump
outlined his vision for the U.S. to become a "manufacturing
superpower," leveraging deregulated energy production from oil and gas to
lower the cost of goods and services.
While his remarks drew applause from
some, critics noted the absence of specific policy details to back his claims.
Trump’s comments at Davos echoed
promises he made during his presidential campaign.
In a July 2024 speech at the Bitcoin
Conference, the then-candidate pledged to make the U.S. "the crypto
capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the world."
Despite his campaign rhetoric, the
crypto industry is skeptical about whether these promises will translate into
concrete action.
Notably, Trump’s inauguration speech
and his administration’s initial policy priorities made no mention of digital
assets, blockchain, or related technologies.
As of now, no executive orders or
policies have been announced that address the crypto sector directly.
While Trump fulfilled a controversial
campaign promise by pardoning Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road founder who served
over 11 years in prison, some critics questioned his motives.
Reports suggest Trump’s decision to
commute Ulbricht’s sentence was aimed at courting libertarian voters during his
campaign.
Additionally, Trump has become a figure
of debate in the crypto world after launching the Official Trump (TRUMP) token
on January 17.
The memecoin has faced backlash from
lawmakers and industry insiders, who accuse the president of exploiting his
office for personal gain.
Some have raised concerns about
potential foreign influence on the project, with allegations that it could
leave the administration vulnerable to hostile actors.
As Trump continues to advocate for AI
and crypto, the industry is watching closely to see if his administration
delivers on its lofty promises—or if these remarks will remain campaign
rhetoric.
