Trump's Bitcoin Reserve Will Have to Wait, Inauguration Speech Snubs Crypto

A possible U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve will have to wait at least a bit longer as President Donald Trump didn't bring the subject up at his inauguration speech on Monday afternoon.

President Donald Trump did not mention bitcoin or crypto in his inauguration speech on Monday afternoon from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

This comes as a bit of a surprise to some, given that Trump has spoken favorably about the technology in the past and even appointed an “A.I. & Crypto Czar” to his administration.

Additionally, a report showing GOP congressional priorities did not include any mention of bitcoin or crypto.

The price of bitcoin fell during the speech, now testing the $100,000 level and down from an overnight high above $109,000.

While the previous administration chose to focus on the negative in its attacks on crypto, Trump has promised — and seems intent on delivering — policies embracing what possibly could become transformative technology.

Among his moves prior to today, Trump appointed venture capitalist and former PayPal COO David Sacks as the White House's so-called "A.I. & Crypto Czar." He has also nominated longtime D.C. veteran and crypto advocate Paul Atkins to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Trump's crypto embrace — at least to some — hasn't been without missteps. Just over the weekend, the president ignited a speculative frenzy with the Friday evening launch of the Trump memecoin, that was shortly followed by a memecoin associated with his wife Melania.

"It’s absolutely preposterous that he would do this," said Nic Carter of crypto investment firm Castle Island Ventures and an otherwise major supporter of Trump. "They’re plumbing new depths of idiocy with the memecoin launch."

A check of Polymarket finds the betting odds of a strategic bitcoin reserve being created in Trump's first 100 days in office have dipped to 45% from a high of 60% earlier in the day.