As Donald Trump crosses the 100-day mark in his second term, the cryptocurrency world has already seen seismic shifts—from state-sanctioned Bitcoin stockpiles to record ETF flows, and a controversial $TRUMP meme coin that pushed his net worth into new territory. But has the Trump crypto boom delivered—or is investor optimism fading?
Executive Orders and a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Within weeks of taking office, President Trump signed an executive order establishing a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” and a “U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile.” Backed by crypto assets seized by federal agencies, the U.S. government now holds over 200,000 BTC, making it the largest state-owned Bitcoin holder globally.
This move was seen by many as a bid to position the U.S. as the world’s crypto capital, reinforcing Trump’s vision to integrate digital assets into the fabric of the national economy. The reserve also includes holdings in Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano, marking a broader shift in U.S. monetary strategy.
“Trump’s crypto stockpile is not just symbolic—it’s structural,” said crypto economist Maya Leroux. “It’s a direct challenge to central bank-driven finance.”
Regulatory Realignment: Atkins, Sacks, and the Fall of the SEC Crackdown
Perhaps the most influential move has been Trump’s appointment of Paul S. Atkins as SEC Chair and David Sacks as his administration’s unofficial “crypto czar.”
Under this new leadership:
The SEC dismissed its lawsuit against Coinbase
Paused regulatory actions against Binance
Declared it would not pursue enforcement against meme coins
Suspended any future plans for a U.S. CBDC
This has triggered a paradigm shift in U.S. crypto regulation, with industry insiders calling it the most favorable environment digital assets have seen since 2017.
$TRUMP Coin: A Billion-Dollar Meme Coin or Conflict of Interest?
The boldest and most controversial moment came just before inauguration: Trump launched a personal meme coin, $TRUMP, which soared to a $5 billion valuation within weeks, briefly making it the 19th largest cryptocurrency by market cap.
According to public disclosures, Trump personally netted over $50 billion in token-linked gains, igniting concerns from ethics watchdogs over conflicts of interest.
“This is unprecedented,” said government ethics analyst Joanne Feldman. “The sitting president personally profiting from a volatile, retail-targeted crypto asset raises red flags.”
Despite backlash, $TRUMP maintains a sizable retail following and is frequently listed among trending coins on X and CoinMarketCap.
ETF Momentum and Market Friction
Bitcoin ETFs have seen $3 billion in inflows during Trump’s first 100 days—the second-highest total in history. However, BTC has dropped 10% from its all-time high of $109,225 on Inauguration Day, currently trading around $94,776.
Many bulls expected an immediate moonshot following Trump’s crypto-friendly appointments and announcements. But the lack of detailed policy execution and growing concerns over broader economic issues—including Trump’s aggressive tariff measures—have stalled momentum.
European and Global Backlash
Trump’s crypto-first stance has triggered regulatory anxiety across Europe and Asia. In its April 2025 report, the Bank of Italy warned that dollar-backed stablecoins like USDT and USDC pose systemic risks due to their connection to U.S. Treasury markets.
Christine Lagarde and other EU leaders argue that the Trump-era crypto surge could compromise eurozone financial stability, with European regulators fast-tracking new oversight mechanisms to insulate local economies.
Conclusion: A Mixed Legacy Emerging
Trump’s return has undeniably reignited global attention on crypto. From bold regulatory reversals to Bitcoin nationalism and meme coin theatrics, the 100-day mark reflects a presidency that sees crypto not as a disruptor but as a cornerstone of economic and geopolitical influence.
But the honeymoon is wearing thin. Investor frustration is mounting amid volatile markets, shallow guidance, and ethical debates over personal gain. If Trump’s crypto bet fails to deliver stronger economic outcomes, the narrative of “Trump the Crypto President” may start to unwind.
FAQs
What did Trump do for crypto in his first 100 days?
He established a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, appointed pro-crypto regulators, dismissed SEC cases, and personally launched the $TRUMP meme coin.
Why is the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve significant?
It positions the U.S. as the largest state holder of BTC and reinforces Trump’s view of Bitcoin as a sovereign digital asset.
Has the crypto market reacted positively?
While ETF inflows surged, Bitcoin dropped over 10% from its highs. Traders are growing impatient with a lack of detailed follow-through.
What is the controversy around $TRUMP meme coin?
The memecoin soared in value, personally enriching Trump by billions, raising ethical concerns over presidential conflicts of interest.
Glossary
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: U.S.-held Bitcoin stockpile created under Trump’s EO.
$TRUMP Meme coin: A token launched by Trump ahead of his second inauguration.
MiCAR: EU’s regulatory framework for crypto-assets.
CBDC: Central Bank Digital Currency, rejected by Trump via executive order.
SEC Lawsuits: Legal actions against major exchanges, now suspended or dismissed.
Sources:
MarketWatch
Wikipedia
ECB & ESMA
Read More: Trump’s First 100 Days in Crypto: Bulls Run, Tokens Fly, Risks Rise">Trump’s First 100 Days in Crypto: Bulls Run, Tokens Fly, Risks Rise
