Trump’s White House Ties Deepen with Crypto Billionaires/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump has made cryptocurrency a central part of his administration’s agenda, helping major crypto figures thrive while reaping millions for his own business ventures. From stablecoins to massive donations, key industry players now orbit Trump’s inner circle. Legal scrutiny has eased as political influence grows.
Trump’s Crypto Allies: Who’s Funding and Benefiting: Quick Looks
- Trump vows to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world”
- Crypto investments now make up nearly 40% of Trump Organization’s net worth
- Trump-backed stablecoin USD1 launched via World Liberty Financial
- Major crypto figures like Justin Sun, Michael Saylor, and CZ have personal ties to Trump
- SEC investigations paused since Trump’s return to office
- Key crypto leaders have donated millions to Trump and allied PACs
- Industry leaders now hold sway at the White House and within Trump’s business ventures
- Coinbase, Gemini, Binance, and Bitcoin Magazine all linked to Trump’s crypto agenda
Trump’s White House Ties Deepen with Crypto Billionaires
Deep Look
Washington, D.C. — June 24, 2025
President Donald Trump has transformed cryptocurrency into a political cornerstone and economic engine of his administration. Since taking office for a second term in January, Trump has declared a goal of turning the U.S. into “the crypto capital of the world,” a promise that has dramatically reshaped his political alliances and personal business empire.
Trump’s Crypto Empire
According to internal estimates, nearly 40% of the Trump Organization’s $2.9 billion net worth is now tied to cryptocurrency-related ventures. A cornerstone of this shift is World Liberty Financial, co-founded by Trump and his sons Eric and Donald Jr., which has launched the USD1 stablecoin—tied 1-to-1 with the U.S. dollar. Trump disclosed over $57 million in profits from the venture last year.
The Power Players
Justin Sun
The controversial founder of the Tron blockchain, Sun was a top investor in Trump’s meme coin and is now closely tied to the White House. He was awarded a gold watch at a Trump-hosted crypto dinner and continues to trumpet his access to the administration. An SEC lawsuit against him was paused after Trump’s return.
Michael Saylor
Chair of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), Saylor is a top bitcoin advocate. His company holds over 2% of the world’s bitcoin. He’s advised Eric Trump, attended Trump’s crypto summit, and praised the administration’s pro-crypto stance. Trump Media plans to emulate Saylor’s model by building a crypto reserve.
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao
The founder of Binance, Zhao was convicted for enabling illicit finance through his platform but served only four months. Now, $2 billion worth of Trump’s USD1 is being used by UAE investors to buy into Binance. Zhao is also lobbying Trump for a pardon.
Brian Armstrong
The Coinbase CEO has pushed crypto into political circles, donating to pro-Trump PACs and hiring Trump’s former campaign manager for a company advisory role. Armstrong met with Trump post-election and helped organize the White House crypto summit.
The Winklevoss Twins
Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss of Gemini fame have donated millions to Trump’s campaign and political allies like Elon Musk. Though some contributions were refunded for violating donation limits, the twins were key figures at Trump’s crypto summit and praised by Vice President JD Vance for opening the floodgates in Silicon Valley.
David Bailey
As CEO of BTC Inc. and publisher of Bitcoin Magazine, Bailey has become a key crypto liaison for the Trump administration. He recently raised $300 million to launch Nakamoto, a publicly traded bitcoin investment firm, and advised Trump’s campaign on digital asset policy.
The Legal Pause
Under President Biden, many of these figures faced serious legal scrutiny. Sun, the Winklevoss twins, and Gemini were all under SEC investigation. But since Trump took office, those inquiries have been paused or de-prioritized, a shift critics say reflects political favoritism.
Political Payoffs
Trump’s alignment with crypto has proven lucrative on both sides. Industry insiders have seen their influence and profits skyrocket, while Trump’s own businesses and campaign coffers have received millions in return. Events like the crypto summit at the White House and the Las Vegas bitcoin conference further cement this relationship.
Vice President JD Vance, who delivered remarks at both events, openly thanked many of these leaders for their loyalty and for energizing a younger, tech-savvy donor class for the GOP.
What’s Next?
With stablecoins, meme coins, and bitcoin reserves now part of federal economic planning, the Trump administration’s embrace of crypto marks a radical shift from previous U.S. policy. As regulations loosen and White House access expands for crypto elites, the industry’s presence in government seems likely to grow even deeper.
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