Trump’s Turbulent Return: Crypto Chaos, Trade Wars, and Political Firestorms in Just 100 Days
In a whirlwind start to his second term, Donald Trump’s first 100 days back in the White House have triggered a mix of crypto market surges, geopolitical tension, and growing calls for impeachment. Once seen as a beacon of hope by the blockchain community, Trump’s tenure has become a cocktail of memecoins, AI megaprojects, and controversial executive orders.
Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci didn’t mince words, calling it “the worst 95 days in modern presidential history.”
Memecoins and Mixed Messages: Day One Shockwaves
January 20 marked Trump’s return to power with more than just an oath—his family’s crypto firm, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), launched a second token sale. The move stunned markets. Demand spiked, yet the tokens remain untradeable and mired in regulatory uncertainty.
Simultaneously, Trump’s administration began staffing key regulatory agencies with crypto allies. Paul Atkins was tapped for the SEC, replacing the crypto-skeptic Gary Gensler, while David Sacks, a well-known crypto investor, was appointed to lead the President’s Council on Science and Technology.
A Presidential AI Bet: The $500 Billion Stargate Project
January 21 brought the “Stargate” announcement—a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. Trump touted the project as essential for national security and job creation, promising 10,000 new roles for Americans.
The message was clear: “America must lead the AI arms race,” he declared.
Crypto Crusades and Controversial Pardons
Trump made another bold move the same day: commuting the sentence of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, a libertarian folk hero in crypto circles. While supporters cheered, critics warned it signaled a troubling blend of crypto idealism and political opportunism.
No to the Digital Dollar, Yes to the Working Group
On January 23, Trump signed an executive order banning the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), citing privacy risks. Instead, he established a working group to cement America’s role as the “world capital of crypto.”
For many in the blockchain industry, it was a defining moment. But critics warned it could weaken the dollar’s future competitiveness globally.
Trade Wars Ignite: Tariffs Shake Crypto and Stocks
Just 12 days into office, Trump’s aggressive trade stance exploded. On February 1, tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China sent shockwaves through global markets. While tariffs on Mexico and Canada were walked back, crypto prices plunged amid investor panic and macroeconomic fear.
The move marked a sharp return to Trump’s protectionist playbook, rattling markets that had only just begun to recover from 2024’s global downturn.
Geopolitical Chess: Vinnik Swap and SBF’s Media Maneuvers
In a February 12 prisoner exchange, convicted crypto launderer Alexander Vinnik returned to Russia in exchange for an American schoolteacher. The deal stirred memories of past Cold War swaps, but this time, Bitcoin was the hidden actor in the room.
Days later, Sam Bankman-Fried resurfaced in the media, comparing himself to Trump and alleging judicial bias. Many viewed it as a veiled plea for pardon.
The Bitcoin Reserve Becomes Official
On March 7, Trump made headlines again by creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, centralizing all digital assets seized in federal criminal cases. Though touted as a step toward crypto legitimacy, the reserve’s scope was limited, offering no firm purchasing commitment.
Alongside it came a Digital Asset Stockpile, adding Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano to the mix.
Crypto Titans at the White House
That same day, industry leaders met at the White House, including Michael Saylor and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. Yet critics like Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson remained skeptical, noting “real change must happen in Congress.”
WLFI Launches Stablecoin Amid Ethics Firestorm
March 25 brought the rollout of WLFI’s new stablecoin, USD1, claiming full backing by U.S. Treasury securities and cash equivalents. While its launch raised over $500 million, calls for an ethics probe quickly followed, questioning Trump’s proximity to crypto policymaking.
“Liberation Day” Tariffs and Fears of Recession
On April 2, Trump imposed universal 10% tariffs on all U.S. trading partners, declaring it “Liberation Day.” Markets reacted swiftly—crypto miners, tech stocks, and global currencies all took a hit.
Scaramucci again sounded the alarm: “You had a growing economy that’s now heading into a medium-sized recession, possibly a steep one.”
Impeachment Whispers Turn to Roars
The tipping point may have been April 25’s controversial $300,000-per-plate “memecoin dinner”, where TRUMP token holders were allegedly offered private access to the president. Senator Jon Ossoff declared it an impeachable offense, citing direct financial gain by the president through token schemes.
The Trump camp denied direct payments were involved—but trust in the administration’s crypto dealings has fractured.
What Comes Next?
As stablecoin legislation inches through Congress and the GENIUS Act looms in the Senate, Trump’s deep entanglement with crypto raises questions about the future of digital asset regulation in the U.S.
What’s clear is this: Trump’s first 100 days have irrevocably fused politics and blockchain in ways that could shape markets for years to come. Whether it’s reform or rebellion, crypto will never be the same.
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