Donald Trump and Cryptos: 2025-2026 Forecast
In the whirlwind of 2025, Donald Trump’s second term has ignited a cryptocurrency revolution, transforming the U.S. from a regulatory skeptic into the self-proclaimed «crypto capital of the world.» What began as campaign rhetoric at the 2024 Bitcoin Conference has materialized into executive orders, landmark legislation, and a booming market. As of September 14, 2025, Bitcoin hovers around $112,000, Ethereum at $4,600, and the total crypto market cap exceeds $4 trillion—up 150% since Trump’s January inauguration.
But with midterm elections looming and global tensions rising, what does the forecast hold for 2025-2026? Experts predict sustained growth, tempered by volatility, as Trump’s pro-crypto agenda reshapes finance.
Trump’s pivot from calling Bitcoin a «scam» in 2019 to embracing it as «digital gold» has been swift. On January 23, he signed an executive order promoting «responsible growth» of digital assets, establishing a working group led by AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks to review regulations and propose reforms.
This was followed by the March 6 Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, consolidating seized BTC (now ~198,000 coins worth $22 billion) and adding Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano to a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile. The move, echoing oil reserves, aims to prevent premature sales that cost taxpayers $17 billion under prior administrations. Prices surged 20% overnight, with BTC hitting $109,000.
Mid-2025 marked «Crypto Week» in Congress. Trump signed the GENIUS Act on July 18, the first major U.S. crypto law, allowing banks to issue stablecoins with audits and reserves while banning a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The CLARITY Act followed, clarifying market structures and shifting oversight from the SEC to a more innovation-friendly framework. SEC Chair Gary Gensler resigned in February, replaced by a crypto advocate, slashing enforcement actions by 70%. Trump’s August order integrating crypto into 401(k)s—unlocking $9 trillion in retirement funds—further fueled adoption, though critics warn of risks like fraud.
Trump’s personal stakes amplify the narrative. The $TRUMP meme coin, launched January 18 on Solana, peaked at $49 before stabilizing at $8.80, with forecasts of $28 by year-end and $50 in 2026 amid election hype. World Liberty Financial ($WLFI), a family venture, debuted stablecoins in September, adding $5 billion to the Trump fortune despite ethics concerns. Trump Media’s $6.4 billion crypto treasury, announced last week, includes CRO holdings, boosting Cronos by 46%. Eric Trump’s American Bitcoin predicts BTC at $1 million, tying into family mining ops.
Looking to 2025’s remainder and 2026, analysts are bullish. Standard Chartered eyes ETH at $7,500 by December 2025, driven by ETF inflows ($1B+ weekly) and tokenized assets. BTC could hit $200,000-$250,000 if the reserve expands and Fed cuts rates (forecast: three in 2025). Midterms may solidify GOP control, accelerating the CLARITY Act’s Senate passage. Global ripple effects: Belarus and Brazil advance frameworks, while Vietnam launches its first exchange.
Risks loom. Geopolitical tensions (e.g., Trump-Putin summit) and tariffs on China could spike volatility. Economists decry the reserve as symbolic, with no survey support for borrowing to fund it. Ethics probes into White House holdings ($2.35M in reserve assets) persist. Yet, with 15,000 new BTC millionaires minted this year, Trump’s vision—bolstered by Elon Musk’s DOGE pumps—signals a golden age.
As 2026 dawns, expect deeper integration: tokenized stocks, RWA momentum, and altcoin seasons. Trump’s crypto saga isn’t just policy—it’s a bet on America’s digital destiny. Investors: HODL tight.