The Winklevoss twins contributed 188.45 BTC worth 21 million USD to the Digital Freedom Fund to promote the pro-crypto agenda in the U.S.
In the context of the Trump administration pushing to make the U.S. the 'crypto asset capital of the world,' the two co-founders of the Gemini exchange made the largest political investment move ever with Bitcoin.
Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss announced on social media X on August 20 about donating 21 million USD in Bitcoin (equivalent to 188.4547 BTC) to the Digital Freedom Fund Political Action Committee. This is the largest recorded cryptocurrency contribution to a PAC in U.S. political history.
Tyler Winklevoss emphasized: 'The mission of the Freedom Fund PAC is to realize President Trump's vision of making America the crypto asset capital of the world.' He added that the current administration has fulfilled campaign commitments and 'even exceeded expectations.'
A comprehensive agenda for the crypto asset industry
The Digital Freedom Fund has announced a complex policy roadmap to restructure the legal framework for digital assets. The focus of the program is the 'Bitcoin and Crypto Bill of Rights' – a set of rules ensuring the right to ownership and peer-to-peer transactions without interference. At the same time, the PAC calls for legal protections for blockchain developers and a complete ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Other proposals include expanding the open banking system, ensuring equitable access to financial services, and requiring regulatory bodies to apply a 'technology-neutral' framework when developing regulations. According to Winklevoss, these measures will reduce 'excessive compliance costs' and create a level playing field for tech startups compared to traditional financial corporations.
The PAC is also committed to collaborating with like-minded organizations to expand influence beyond the legislative framework. An important priority is to promote a 'de minimis' tax exemption for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency transactions – something Tyler Winklevoss calls 'the key to unlocking the potential of these technologies.'
The contribution was made in the context of the Trump administration rolling out a series of initiatives supporting crypto assets, from the President’s Working Group report to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins' 'Project Crypto' and the CFTC's 'Crypto Sprint' program. The Digital Freedom Fund plans to focus resources on the 2026 midterm elections to support candidates that align with the pro-crypto agenda.
While critics warn of risks from loosening oversight, supporters argue that a favorable legal environment is key for the U.S. to maintain a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving digital asset space.
