U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that five digital assets will be included in a new U.S. strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies, a move that spurred a significant surge in market values.
Following the announcement, Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, rose more than 11% to trade at approximately $94,164, while ether, the second-largest, increased by about 13% to around $2,516. Overall, the total cryptocurrency market experienced a roughly 10% uplift, translating to an increase of over $300 billion, according to data from CoinGecko.
Industry experts noted that the move could signal a shift toward more active U.S. participation in the crypto economy. Federico Brokate, head of U.S. business at 21Shares, stated that the decision may accelerate institutional adoption, provide clearer regulatory guidelines, and strengthen the U.S. leadership in digital asset innovation. However, James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, expressed surprise at the inclusion of assets beyond bitcoin, suggesting that these additional currencies are more akin to tech investments.
Trump’s announcement comes amid broader policy moves favoring the crypto industry. The president, who received support from the sector during his 2024 campaign, is set to host the first White House Crypto Summit on Friday, and his family has recently launched its own digital coins. Under Trump’s administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission has eased its scrutiny by withdrawing investigations into several crypto companies and dropping a lawsuit against Coinbase, the nation’s largest crypto exchange. This marks a departure from the regulatory approach of the previous administration, which had imposed stricter measures to curb fraud and money laundering.
Analysts have noted that despite recent downturns in cryptocurrency prices, market momentum could build further if additional catalysts, such as anticipated interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve or a clearly articulated pro-crypto regulatory framework, emerge. Meanwhile, regulatory filings indicate that alongside hedge funds, banks and sovereign wealth funds have been increasing their allocations to crypto-related investments.
There is ongoing debate among legal experts and analysts over the best mechanism to establish the strategic reserve. Some argue that an act of Congress might be required, while others suggest that the U.S. Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund could be used to purchase or sell the selected digital assets. Additionally, Trump’s crypto group had previously explored the option of creating the reserve using cryptocurrencies seized in law enforcement operations.
The announcement has intensified discussions on the future role of digital currencies in national policy, with market watchers and industry participants closely monitoring developments as the Trump administration pursues its crypto-related policy objectives.
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