In a recent interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, expressed a lenient stance on the use of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Trump indicated that if he were elected president again, his administration would not impose strict regulations on their usage.
Acknowledging the increasing popularity of digital currencies, Trump stated, “I have seen there has been a lot of use of that,” referring to bitcoin. He expressed reluctance to intervene in the current usage of cryptocurrencies, indicating that he sees no immediate need to restrict them.
Despite describing himself as a traditionalist when it comes to currency, Trump noted a shift in consumer behavior, particularly in the purchase of his own branded products.
He mentioned observing a significant portion of payments for his high-end Trump-branded sneakers being made using cryptocurrencies, which surprised him.
While Trump emphasized his preference for a single currency, such as the dollar, he admitted to accepting cryptocurrency payments for certain transactions. However, he clarified that he personally has not invested in bitcoin or other digital currencies.
Trump’s remarks suggest a relatively hands-off approach to regulating cryptocurrencies if he were to return to office, signaling a departure from the stricter regulatory measures some policymakers have proposed.