[Daily News Briefing] SEC policy changes have helped Bitcoin surge, and the impending Trump administration has triggered market confidence

In 2025, the digital currency market experienced significant volatility, especially Bitcoin and other cryptoassets, which experienced significant gains following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) policy shift. On January 20, the SEC announced new guidelines, which many industry insiders said was a major victory for the encryption industry and greatly enhanced investor confidence. The price of Bitcoin quickly exceeded $100,000, eventually reaching a peak of $109,000 amid market hype. At this time, the outside world is full of expectations that the incoming Trump administration may create a more friendly regulatory environment for digital currencies. However, this enthusiasm was quickly diluted by the launch of their respective cryptocurrencies, $TRUMP and $MELANIA, by Trump and his wife Melania. The couple unveiled the coins at a grand “crypto dance” on the eve of Trump’s second inauguration. Although the total market capitalization exceeded $17 billion when it was initially launched, analysts and industry insiders were quick to express concern. Critics point out that these tokens are more like speculative gambles than sound financial instruments, potentially undermining efforts to legalize cryptocurrencies. Tom Schmidt, a partner at Dragonfly Venture Partners, expressed disappointment, saying, “I feel disappointed when I see these tokens. It feels cheesy and cheap.” This sentiment is reflected in the Word is spreading among the crypto community that many would like to see serious regulation and market consolidation of cryptocurrencies. While Trump celebrated at the “Crypto Ball,” the release of these meme coins sparked a backlash from crypto enthusiasts. Former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler is fondly remembered by some for his strict regulation of the crypto industry. Today, many are concerned that Trump’s association with meme coins could undermine the positive momentum brought about by the SEC’s new policy. Following the launch of the meme coin, the price of $TRUMP initially surged to $70, but then quickly fell to approximately $45. Melania’s coin has experienced similar volatility, exposing the inherent instability of this speculative asset. The volatility has raised concerns among retail investors that they could suffer significant financial losses due to the lure of memecoins. Despite facing criticism, the Trump administration has said it will prioritize crypto-friendly policies. Trump appointed SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda as acting chairman and announced the establishment of a new encryption working group aimed at establishing a more reasonable regulatory framework. Additionally, the Trump administration’s pledge to create a U.S. Bitcoin reserve and implement industry-friendly rules has given crypto businesses hope for the future. However, the contradiction between Trump’s personal involvement in meme coins and his regulatory intentions creates a complicated situation. While the crypto industry craves regulatory clarity and support, association with speculative tokens could hinder wider acceptance and trust of digital currencies. Looking ahead, the cryptocurrency industry is facing