Trump says he wants US in charge of crypto before China, teases another NFT launch

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he embraces the cryptocurrency industry because it is good for the country, and that the U.S. should take the lead in the global crypto race before China or any other country, according to a Bloomberg report published Tuesday. 

“If I throw it aside, it’s going to be picked up in another country, most likely China — they’re pretty advanced in that sphere,” Trump said in the Bloomberg interview. “So you have to look at it — what I want, again, is what is good for the country.”

The Republican presidential nominee stated that crypto is “not going away,” and said he plans on releasing another set of NFTs. “I did it three times [and] I’m going to do another one because the people want me to do another one,” Trump said in the interview. Trump had created trading card-themed NFTs that gave certain buyers various perks, such as a piece of his suit or tie, or admission to a dinner event with him. 

Trump said that the U.S. crypto industry has a “good foundation” despite still being in its infancy, and added that he has gotten to know “top-flight” industry people.

Pro-crypto path

Trump, who had previously held unfavorable views toward crypto, started to endorse the local industry in recent months. In May, his campaign started to accept campaign donations in cryptocurrencies, raising $3 million in the last quarter, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Republican nominee also vowed to support bitcoin miners in the White House. 

Major figures in the cryptocurrency industry, such as Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Woods and Kraken co-founder Jesse Powell, have voiced support or made donations to the Trump campaign.

Earlier this week, Trump selected Sen. J.D. Vance to be his running mate. Vance, the Ohio Republican, holds favorable views toward crypto and criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission during its lawsuit against crypto startup DEBT Box.