Vice President Vance Set to Push Bitcoin Agenda in Vegas
By Erasmus Cromwell-Smith
Vance Takes the Stage at Bitcoin 2025
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will make history as the first sitting VP to speak at a Bitcoin conference. Today in Las Vegas, Vance is headlining Bitcoin 2025 before a crowd of 30,000 enthusiasts, underscoring how far crypto has come into the political mainstream. A longtime tech advocate and former venture capitalist, Vance even holds up to $500K in Bitcoin himself—putting some skin in the game alongside his audience. Crypto insiders are buzzing about what signals he’ll send, given his outspoken support for Bitcoin and the industry’s freedoms.
“If there’s a candidate for the worst person [to regulate crypto] it’s Gary Gensler.” – J.D. Vance, referring to the SEC Chair’s approach.
Vance’s Bitcoin bona fides include blasting aggressive regulators and defending crypto’s ethos. In a resurfaced video, he called SEC chief Gary Gensler “way too political” and “the worst person” to oversee crypto. As a U.S. Senator, he backed industry-friendly moves—voting to overturn SEC rules that hinder banks from holding crypto and slamming “regulation by enforcement.” In early 2024, Vance even led a letter condemning SEC lawyers for “unethical and unprofessional” tactics in a crypto case. He has framed Bitcoin as a freedom technology, tweeting during Canada’s trucker crackdown, “This is why crypto is taking off—the regime will cut off your access to banking if you have the wrong politics.” In short, expect Vance’s speech to celebrate Bitcoin’s role in financial liberty and rebuke heavy-handed regulators, drawing cheers from the libertarian-leaning crowd.
Signals to Watch: Policy Themes in Vance’s Message
Vance’s appearance comes as the new administration in Washington is extraordinarily crypto-friendly, and he’s likely to highlight several big policy shifts that Bitcoiners will relish:
Embrace of Innovation: Vance’s boss, President Trump, flipped the script on federal crypto policy with an executive order in January declaring digital assets crucial for U.S. innovation and economic growth. That order revoked Biden-era clampdowns and called for “clear and consistent” rules to foster crypto innovation. Don’t be surprised if Vance echoes this vision of America as a hub for Bitcoin—Trump himself vowed to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the world” and “bitcoin superpower of the world,” marking a sharp turn toward deregulation and industry input.
🏛 End of “War on Crypto”: Vance will likely contrast the new approach with the old. The administration has explicitly rejected a U.S. CBDC (central bank digital currency), banning any federal work on a digital dollar due to privacy and government overreach concerns—a line that will draw applause from a community wary of surveillance coins. Likewise, the Department of Justice has pulled back on treating crypto companies as targets: a memo in April directed DOJ not to go after exchanges or wallets for users’ actions, ending the prior “reckless strategy of regulation by prosecution.” In fact, the DOJ disbanded its crypto enforcement unit and is focusing only on actual crimes (fraud, illicit finance) instead of crypto tech itself. These moves, framed as ending a “war on crypto,” align with Vance’s long-held view that regulators should not punish legitimate crypto innovation.
“Bitcoin Reserve” & U.S. Adoption: Perhaps the splashiest policy Vance can tout is the new U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve—the first time America formally recognized Bitcoin as a reserve asset. In March, President Trump signed an order to stockpile Bitcoin seized in criminal cases instead of auctioning it, creating a national BTC reserve. The U.S. government holds nearly 198,000 BTC (>$17 billion) from forfeitures, and this order “removes over $17B in selling pressure” by vowing not to dump those coins on the market. It’s largely symbolic (no new Bitcoin purchases yet), but it thrilled Bitcoiners to see the White House effectively HODLing. “The significance is mainly symbolic, as it marks the first time Bitcoin is formally recognized as a reserve asset of the United States,” noted S&P analyst Andrew O’Neill. Vance may underscore this as a commitment to Bitcoin’s long-term value—and hint at more to come. (The order even left the door open for the government to buy more BTC later if it can be done “budget-neutral.”) Notably, Trump declared the U.S. will “never sell” its Bitcoin holdings during a crypto summit, signaling ultra-bullish intent to hodl. Such rhetoric from the top is unprecedented—and Vance could hammer home that America is pro-Bitcoin in practice, not just words.
Stablecoin Plans – and Controversy: Vance might carefully champion the idea of U.S.-led stablecoin innovation (digital dollars issued by private firms) as part of strengthening the dollar’s global reach. The administration has pushed for “simple, commonsense rules” for stablecoins to “expand the dominance of the U.S. dollar.” In fact, Republicans in Congress are fast-tracking bills to regulate stablecoins with light oversight, aiming to pass the first major crypto legislation with bipartisan support. But here’s the elephant in the room: Trump’s own family just launched a stablecoin called USD1 via a company, World Liberty Financial—and Democrats are howling about conflicts of interest. Critics argue the Trumps stand to profit from rules they shape, calling it an “unprecedented conflict of interest.” Rep. Maxine Waters moved to block any law that doesn’t ban Trump (and even Elon Musk) from issuing stablecoins, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren blasted it as “a massive conflict of interest and a recipe for disaster.” While Vance is unlikely to dwell on the controversy, he may stress that U.S. stablecoins (generically) can bolster the dollar and that regulations will “provide clear guidelines to allow payment stablecoins to flourish in the U.S.” Still, the audience will be aware of the drama—making any stablecoin remarks a potential flashpoint. (It’s worth noting many hardcore Bitcoiners are skeptical of altcoins and prefer BTC itself, so Vance may keep the focus Bitcoin-centric.)
Alliance with Crypto Allies: Expect Vance to name-drop or align with notable crypto champions. He’s close with tech investors like David Sacks and Peter Thiel—now key figures in this administration—and with pro-Bitcoin lawmakers like Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who is working on comprehensive crypto legislation. The conference lineup itself features several high-profile Bitcoin allies: President Trump’s sons, Don Jr. and Eric Trump (both active in crypto ventures), and “Crypto Czar” David Sacks are speaking too. This united front signals that the White House isn’t just paying lip service; it has a team driving a crypto-forward agenda. Vance’s role as VP has even extended to fundraising among crypto elites—he’s headlining a $1M-per-head Vegas fundraiser for the campaign while in town. In other words, this administration is deeply intertwined with the crypto community, and Vance’s speech will likely reinforce that alliance—a stark contrast to prior administrations that kept crypto at arm’s length.
Bitcoin Buzz: Trends Setting the Stage
Beyond Vance’s anticipated remarks, the Bitcoin community is ablaze with news and trends that form the backdrop of this conference. Any viral “X-article” for crypto fans would be remiss not to hit these hot topics currently dominating tweets and forum posts:
Bitcoin Blasting Past $100K: Bitcoin entered the conference at all-time highs, having broken above the six-figure mark for the first time just days ago. It peaked around $112,000 in late May and is now consolidating above $100K as whales continue accumulating. Crypto Twitter is ecstatic—memes of laser-eyed George Washingtons abound—and even seasoned traders are stunned. One analyst noted, “BTC is consolidating above $100k and whales are accumulating more coins rather than taking profit.” In fact, market data shows large holders eagerly buying dips around $94K, suggesting any correction will be met with a wall of demand. The sentiment on Reddit and X is euphoric, with posts touting that we are firmly in a 2025 bull market (though some urge caution that even in bull runs, pullbacks happen). The timing couldn’t be better for Bitcoin 2025—“Vegas vibes and all-time highs” indeed, as one media outlet put it. Conference-goers are literally celebrating new price records on the show floor.
Big Names Betting Big on BTC: In a sign of how Bitcoin’s narrative is spreading from cypherpunks to corporations, GameStop stunned the market this week by purchasing 4,710 BTC (over $500 million worth) for its treasury. The video game retailer-turned-meme-stock icon confirmed the move on its official X account, instantly racking up thousands of likes and comments. This makes GameStop one of the top corporate Bitcoin holders, following the playbook of MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor. Crypto Twitter exploded at the news—“GameStop apes buying Bitcoin—worlds colliding!” was a typical reaction. Similarly, Donald Trump Jr. announced a $2.5 billion Bitcoin treasury for TMTG/Truth Social at the conference, quipping, “the floodgates are opening for #Bitcoin.” Their plan involves partnerships with mining companies (e.g., a deal with Hut 8) and a new initiative to build up “American Bitcoin reserves” in the private sector. This blend of corporate and political endorsement is red meat for Bitcoiners. Even Ross Ulbricht—the jailed founder of Silk Road—was slated to address the conference remotely, a symbolic moment uniting early Bitcoin libertarian ideals with today’s institutional interest. The message is clear: from retail rebels to media moguls, everyone seems to be going long on Bitcoin. Each of these headlines has gone viral on X and Reddit, amplifying the sense that “number go up” technology has again captured the world’s attention.
U.S. Turns (Crypto) Friendly: A year ago, U.S. regulators were often seen as adversaries to crypto. Now, under new leadership, the tone has flipped—and the crypto community is eating it up. Key moves making waves: the White House not only created the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (discussed above), but also hosted a high-profile Crypto Summit in D.C., where President Trump proclaimed an end to hostility toward crypto. He told a room of industry CEOs, “We’re taking historic action” to deliver on making America the Bitcoin and crypto capital. The administration’s “Crypto Czar,” David Sacks, has been actively engaging on X, suggesting the U.S. could even acquire more Bitcoin if done smartly. Meanwhile, the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)—long the bogeyman for crypto—appears to be changing course. After years of refusal, the SEC finally allowed spot Bitcoin ETFs in late 2024, including BlackRock’s, in a watershed moment. (One viral Bitcoin Magazine headline hailed “Spot Bitcoin ETF Approval as the most important moment of 2024.”) Additionally, the Tornado Cash sanctions were lifted in March, reversing a controversial ban on a crypto mixer and pleasing privacy advocates. And in personnel news sure to draw cheers, Gary Gensler is on his way out as SEC Chair—Trump tapped pro-crypto attorney Paul Atkins to succeed him. All these developments have been widely celebrated across crypto social media, with influencers tweeting that the U.S. is finally “getting it” and “open for crypto business.” The phrase #CryptoCapitalUSA has trended on and off on X as enthusiasts revel in the policy turnaround.
⚖ Showdowns and Drama: Of course, not everyone is on the moon; political clashes over crypto are generating huge engagement too.Democrats like Sen. Warren and Rep. Waters are vocally pushing back, which only galvanizes crypto Twitter further (often mocking them as out-of-touch). Warren accused Trump of “enriching himself…while his administration guts oversight”—a quote that’s been screenshotted and memed into oblivion by Bitcoin supporters (one meme showed Warren with laser eyes sarcastically “endorsing” Bitcoin). The stablecoin saga is a flashpoint: when news broke that Trump’s family owns ~60% of World Liberty Financial and launched USD1, it set off intense debate. On one hand, Bitcoin purists sneer at “TrumpCoin” as a distraction; on the other, many in crypto see hypocrisy in those crying foul only now that their least favorite politician is involved. The conflict even halted a Congressional hearing at one point, and a group of Democrats temporarily blocked a stablecoin bill over Trump’s ties. This high-stakes drama—a mix of power, money, and Bitcoin—has fueled countless tweetstorms and Reddit threads. It’s the kind of narrative that keeps engagement high: pro-crypto folks rally around the flag (“let’s get this bill passed, ignore the FUD”), while skeptics amplify warnings of corruption. In short, crypto has well and truly entered the Thunderdome of U.S. politics, and everyone online has an opinion.
Bottom Line: Vice President Vance’s Vegas appearance comes at a pivotal moment: Bitcoin is soaring, the U.S. government is (remarkably) leaning pro-crypto, and both opportunities and controversies abound. For the hardcore Bitcoiner audience, this is the perfect storm for a viral story—a populist VP who “gets it,” validating their decade-long belief that Bitcoin matters for freedom and the future. Vance is expected to champion crypto innovation and American leadership, likely assuring the crowd that “the era of stifling crypto is over.” He can point to concrete actions (no CBDC, a BTC reserve, friendlier regulations) as proof that the U.S. wants entrepreneurs and miners to build here, not overseas. And he might throw in a few zingers at the usual villains (regulatory “dinosaurs” or China’s control over tech) to rally the faithful.
At the same time, the viral edge to this story is the intrigue: Will Vance drop any bombshell policy announcements? Will he address the elephant in the room about his bosses’ crypto ventures? How will the crowd—and the internet—react? The Bitcoin Twitter sphere is on high alert for soundbites, knowing that Vance’s words could influence not just the market but the ever-evolving narrative of Bitcoin in society. As one popular commentator on X noted, “From the White House to the Las Vegas Strip—Bitcoin has arrived.” The stakes (and the enthusiasm) couldn’t be higher. Get ready for fireworks in Sin City. All eyes are on Vance’s speech, and by extension, on America’s next moves in the Bitcoin revolution.
By Erasmus-Cromwell-Smith
May 28th 2025.
Sources:
Cointelegraph – US VP Vance to speak at Bitcoin 2025
Cointelegraph – Resurfaced clip: Vance slams Gensler
Cointelegraph – Vance on SEC’s “unethical” actions
Cointelegraph – Vance: “This is why crypto is taking off…”
White House EO 14178 – “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Assets”
Fed. Reg. Insider – EO 14178 promotes clarity, bans CBDC
Reuters – Trump establishes strategic Bitcoin reserve
CoinDesk – $17B in BTC seized – reserve removes sell pressure
Reuters – No new BTC purchases disappoint, price dips
Washington Post – Vance fundraising with crypto donors
Politico – Trump sons launch stablecoin, bipartisanship at risk
Politico – Lummis: Trump coin “shouldn’t, but might” complicate
The Guardian – Trump’s crypto push & conflicts
The Guardian – Warren: “enriching himself… massive conflict”
Cointelegraph – Democrats probe “Trump’s crypto corruption”
Cointelegraph – Demoocrats block stablecoin vote over Trump
Cointelegraph – GameStop buys 4,710 BTC
Reddit/Instagram – GameStop announcement gets 7.7K likes
Bitcoin Magazine – Don Jr.: $2.5B Bitcoin treasury, “floodgates opening”
Decrypt – Bitcoin 2025 in Vegas amid record highs
Cointelegraph – Bitcoin at $112K, whales buying, bull market
Cointelegraph – Analyst: support at $94K if correction
Cointelegraph – 7 green weekly candles & consolidation
Cointelegraph – Whales accumulating above $100K
Fortune – SEC approves BlackRock, Grayscale spot ETFs
Bitcoin Magazine – “Spot Bitcoin ETF Approval Most Important of 2024”
Blockworks – Trump picks Paul Atkins to replace Gensler
Cointelegraph – Tornado Cash sanctions lifted
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Photograph : Bitcoin 2025 Las Vegas Conference
https://lasvegassun.com/photos/2025/may/27/929337/