Bitcoin Magazine
The United States Must Embrace Bitcoin Now: A Recap Of Bitcoin For America
Earlier today, the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), a think tank located in Washington, D.C., convened for the โBitcoin For Americaโ summit.
This gathering followed the recent executive order signed by President Trump to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) and the first-ever Crypto Summit hosted by the White House.
One might presume that a summit labeled this way would have a nationalistic tone. Nonetheless, several speakers recognized that Bitcoin’s advantages extend beyond national boundaries, asserting that the U.S. should spearhead its adoption globally.
David Zell, the Director of BPI, commenced the event with a clear objective in mind.
โOur mission today is to foster understanding of how Bitcoin serves not just America but the entire globe,โ he stated.
Following him, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a longstanding advocate for Bitcoin, argued that it is only fitting for the U.S. to take the initiative in Bitcoin adoption.
โThis is truly freedom money,โ remarked Senator Lummis. โItโs our responsibility to be at the forefront of freedom money.โ
Michael Saylor: Bitcoin and Americaโs Digital Dominance
Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy, echoed the Senator’s sentiments, presenting his case for U.S. leadership in the Bitcoin domain.
โI’m here to illustrate how the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve acts as a framework for the United Statesโ digital dominance in the 21st century,โ he opened.
He further argued that Bitcoin should be considered a form of digital property, and the U.S. should aim to acquire as much as possible to leverage financial opportunities on that asset.
Saylor emphasized that trillions of dollars in commerce will traverse the Bitcoin network, underscoring the importance of the U.S. in securing a significant share.
Additionally, he proposed that Bitcoin represents American ideals, making its ownership akin to possessing a piece of the U.S. itself.
โPeople residing in Asia and Africa would relocate to the U.S. in a heartbeat if given the chance,โ Saylor stated.
โThey yearn to transfer their funds to the U.S. for its currency, security, and values, but the reality is, they can’t,โ he continued.
โSo, the next best option is for them to channel their wealth into the Bitcoin network, which encapsulates all the values, security, and protection of America.โ
Vivek Ramaswamy: Bitcoin’s Long-term Yield as the New Risk Benchmark
Ohio gubernatorial candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy followed Saylor’s presentation, arguing that the returns from holding Bitcoin over a decade or more should now serve as the new benchmark for high-risk expectations.
He prefaced this assertion by explaining that we are entering an โenvironment of scarce capital,โ marking a shift from the previous 15 years in which the Federal Reserve engaged in extensive money printing, likening it to a dealer providing cocaine to eager customers.
Ramaswamy noted that organizations will soon be compelled to ponder the “opportunity cost of capital,” subsequently establishing hurdle rates for both low- and high-risk investments.
He proposed that the hurdle rate for low-risk ventures is represented by the 10-year U.S. Treasury, while for high-risk investments, it will be defined by Bitcoin’s anticipated returns over a 10 to 15-year duration.
Wrapping up his address, he remarked on the parallels between American principles and those of Bitcoin, asserting that Bitcoin serves as a beacon of hope, much like the American flag.
โBitcoin signifies something greater than just a financial asset; it serves as a symbol, encapsulating the essence of American greatness,โ Ramaswamy stated. โIn this national context, it becomes a fitting addition to our national Strategic Reserve.โ
Matthew Pines: Global Interest in Bitcoin Following SBR Executive Order
Matthew Pines, the Executive Director of BPI, highlighted that Bitcoin is increasingly capturing the attention of global leaders for two primary reasons.
Firstly, he explained, the fragility of U.S. debt markets is prompting international leaders to seek alternative global reserve assets aside from U.S. Treasuries.
Secondly, the executive order regarding the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve clearly defines Bitcoin as โdigital gold,โ signaling a shift that other leaders are likely to follow suit.
โLast Thursdayโs executive order reached the desks of every major president, central bank leader, and finance minister around the globe,โ Pines informed the audience.
โDiscussions are now underway regarding its implicationsโwhat it signifies for their own nations’ relationships with Bitcoin. While governments tend to be conservative in their changes, when they do act, they can mobilize substantial resources that influence international relations profoundly,โ he added.
โWe’re at a critical juncture where the geopolitical dimensions of Bitcoin are becoming crucial, shaping the next chapter in Bitcoin’s trajectory. The competition surrounding Bitcoin has commenced, and it’s our responsibility to sustain our edge.โ
Congressman Nick Begich Revives the Bitcoin Act
After Pines’ presentation, he welcomed Representative Nick Begich (R-AK) to the platform, where the Congressman made a significant announcement.
โToday, Iโm introducing the Bitcoin Act of 2025 in the House of Representatives,โ Rep. Begich declared.
This piece of legislation, which builds upon the bill proposed by Sen. Lummis last year, aims to have the U.S. acquire one million bitcoins without costing taxpayers and ensures Americansโ rights to self-custody their Bitcoin.
โThis bill explicitly affirms individualsโ rights to own, hold, and transact with Bitcoin freely,โ emphasized Rep. Begich. โIt acknowledges self-custody as a fundamental right.โ
Congressman Ro Khanna Advocates for Bitcoin Among Democrats
Following a brief address by Zack Shapiro, Head of Policy at BPI, on why states should hold Bitcoin in their reserves, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) made an appeal for Democrats to embrace Bitcoin.
โBitcoin should not be a partisan issue,โ stated Rep. Khanna, the lone Democratic speaker at the summit.
โThis offers a transformative opportunity for countless individuals globally, and it is crucial that the Democratic Party recognizes this as a means to foster financial empowermentโnot just within the U.S., but globally,โ he added.
Jack Mallers: Bitcoin Represents a Revival of American Values
After several discussions and panels featuring prominent individuals like Casa CEO Nick Neuman, Newmarket Capital CEO Andrew Hohns, and Lightspark CSO Christian Catalini, Strike CEO Jack Mallers took the stage as the concluding speaker of the summit.
In his presentation entitled โStrategic Bitcoin Reserve: The American Monetary Revolution,โ Mallers asserted that the creation of the SBR represents a return to foundational American principlesโlife, liberty, and property.
โThe executive order for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the proposed Bitcoin Act by Senator Lummis mark the most consequential economic shift in over a century from this nationโs capital,โ Mallers asserted.
He remarked that existing American economic strategies often contradict the founding principles of the nation, referring to events like Executive Order 6102 (gold confiscation during President Franklin D. Rooseveltโs era in 1933), the Nixon Shock (the disconnection of the dollar from gold in 1971), and the 2008 financial bailouts.
However, he concluded on an uplifting note.
โThis represents a pivotal moment in American history and signifies a turning point in our economic policy,โ stated Mallers. โThe narrative of humanity is about crafting a better worldโthatโs the essence of America, and it aligns with Bitcoin.โ
This article The United States Must Embrace Bitcoin Now: A Recap Of Bitcoin For America originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is authored by Frank Corva.
