Support for Bitcoin within the U.S. political establishment has grown in the last year, but one industry figure says positive sentiment alone is not enough to drive meaningful policy change.
Support for Bitcoin within the U.S. political establishment has grown in the last year, but one industry figure says positive sentiment alone is not enough to drive meaningful policy change.
Trump’s former crypto adviser, David Bailey, who played a role in bringing Bitcoin closer to political discussions, said the U.S. government must go further than simply expressing support for the digital asset.
Bailey has been involved in several initiatives aimed at increasing Bitcoin awareness among policymakers.
Bailey acknowledged that the relationship between and politics has historically been uneasy. “We hate politicians. We hate the political system. That’s the whole point of Bitcoin, it’s disruptive,” he said, opening up about the irony that the industry now finds itself negotiating with political leaders.
Still, he believes the shift is inevitable as Bitcoin becomes more mainstream. According to Bailey, political parties will eventually need to incorporate digital asset policy into their platforms.
“Over time, all the parties will embrace Bitcoin in their own way and integrate it into their platform.”
Bailey also pointed to President Trump’s influence on the global discussion of Bitcoin policy.
He said that when Trump first signaled support for cryptocurrency, many observers expected it to be a short-lived political moment. Instead, interest has continued to grow internationally.
“What’s really surprised me through this process is how influential President Trump and U.S. policy are on the world,” Bailey said.
Despite expressing appreciation for the administration’s support of the industry, Bailey warned that symbolic gestures alone will not move the sector forward. “At the end of the day, liking Bitcoin is not enough,” he said.
Bailey pointed to ongoing policy gaps despite positive rhetoric on digital assets. For example, he mentioned the executive order related to a strategic Bitcoin reserve, noting that important details remain unclear. “Last I checked, we still don’t even know how much Bitcoin we have exactly,” he said.
For the unversed, since taking office in January 2025, Trump has introduced several policies supporting cryptocurrency. His administration also signed the GENIUS Act, establishing the first federal framework for stablecoins backed 1:1 by liquid assets. Trump changed crypto regulation by appointing new leadership at the SEC and easing enforcement actions.
