Emily Walker
David Bailey, who is the CEO of BTC Inc., recently disclosed that he had a private phone conversation with former President Donald Trump regarding Bitcoin. His announcement on X quickly sparked conversations in the community, especially considering Trump’s changing perspective on cryptocurrencies and his recent decision to pardon Ross Ulbricht.
Trump Supports Bitcoin
In his post, Bailey shared insights from his chat with Trump, stating: “Just spoke with Donald Trump and thanked him for his commitments to our industry and Ross. I asked if he had a message for the Bitcoin community… He expressed his full support, saying we will elevate Bitcoin to new heights and outshine China and others trying to take it from us. Thank you, President Trump, for being the first Bitcoin-supporting president. Promises made, promises kept.”
Bailey, whose firm oversees Bitcoin Magazine, is recognized for playing a significant role in shifting Trump’s opinion on Bitcoin from doubt to endorsement.
Following his post, Bailey faced many questions from followers. One user inquired if Trump acknowledged worries about less reputable cryptocurrencies held by the US government. Bailey replied, “We spoke for about ten minutes on various Bitcoin topics. I don’t think he is aware of those concerns, and I didn’t bring it up.”
Another commentator urged Bailey to provide proof, suggesting that he should record future conversations. However, Bailey stressed his respect for privacy: “I would never record a private call with the President and release it just for online recognition.”
When asked how the conversation happened, Bailey mentioned, “He called me… I was informed in advance.” Additionally, his wife Emily Bailey, who manages marketing at BTC Inc., supported this claim, noting, “He called to express gratitude to David and the Bitcoin community. Most of the call revolved around Ross and Lyn, focusing on justice and peace. It was a cordial exchange.”
Trump’s Changing Perspective
Bailey’s relationship with Trump started when the ex-president was predominantly critical of the Bitcoin sector. Through ongoing discussions, Bailey and various supporters illustrated how Bitcoin could enhance America’s technical leadership and energy autonomy.
This dialogue reached a pivotal point at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, where Trump publicly declared his support for Bitcoin, departing from his earlier skepticism. He advocated for all remaining Bitcoin to be “mined, minted, and made in the USA,” and promised to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve if he were to be re-elected. He also committed to pardoning Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace, a promise he fulfilled shortly after taking office for his second term on January 21, 2025.
Since Trump’s executive order related to cryptocurrencies and the establishment of a “national digital asset stockpile,” there has been intense discussion about which digital currencies will be included. Pierre Rochard, Vice President of Research at Riot Platforms, along with other leaders, has criticized Ripple as a significant barrier to a Bitcoin-focused reserve, claiming it is invested heavily in lobbying to widen the reserve’s scope to a larger “crypto reserve,” potentially including XRP.
Ripple’s leadership has denied any intentions to overshadow Bitcoin. They assert that broadening the reserve to incorporate multiple digital currencies—including BTC—promotes American innovation, offering broader economic advantages and strengthening competition against other nations in the digital asset realm.
As of this report, Bitcoin’s value had decreased by 4.5%, trading at $100,455.