Earlier today, the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), a think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., organized the “Bitcoin For America” summit.
The gathering took place in the aftermath of President Trump’s endorsement of an executive order (EO) to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) and the White House’s inaugural Crypto Summit.
One might have anticipated patriotic sentiments from an event with such a title. Nevertheless, numerous speakers recognized that Bitcoin is an asset that can benefit the entire globe, and that, in part due to this fact, the U.S. should take the lead in its integration.
David Zell, Director of BPI, established the event’s atmosphere with his introductory remarks.
“Our objective for today is to further this conversation, to aid individuals in grasping how Bitcoin serves America — and the broader world,” he proclaimed.
Zell was succeeded by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a long-standing advocate for Bitcoin, who articulated that it is only logical for America to drive the momentum in Bitcoin adoption.
“This truly is money for freedom,” asserted Senator Lummis. “And America should take the lead when it concerns money for freedom.”
Michael Saylor: Bitcoin And American Digital Dominance
Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor concurred with the Senator, emphasizing the rationale for U.S. leadership in this domain.
“I am here today to illustrate how the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve symbolizes a strategy for the digital supremacy of the United States in the 21st century,” he commenced.
He continued to advocate for Bitcoin as a digital asset, asserting that the United States should obtain as much Bitcoin as possible to “rent and finance” using that asset.
He further theorized that trillions of dollars in commerce will circulate through the Bitcoin network, which is another reason the U.S. should prioritize obtaining its share of the network.
Additionally, he contended that Bitcoin reflects American principles and that owning it is the next best alternative to residing in the U.S.
“Anyone living in Asia, or Africa would relocate to the U.S. if they could,” said Saylor.
“They would transfer their finances to the U.S. if given the opportunity. They desire the currency of the U.S. They seek the security of the U.S. They embrace the values of the U.S., yet they cannot attain it,” he added.
“Therefore, the second-best option they have is to move their finances into the Bitcoin network, which encapsulates all of the values, protections, and security of the U.S.”
Vivek Ramaswamy: Bitcoin’s Long-Term Yield Is The New High-Risk Benchmark Rate
Ohio gubernatorial candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy followed Saylor, proposing that the yield on holding Bitcoin for a decade or longer is now the new high-risk benchmark rate.
He laid the groundwork for this assertion by stating that we are reverting to an “era of limited capital.” He articulated that this will contrast with the previous 15 years, during which the Federal Reserve excessively printed money, akin to a drug dealer distributing cocaine to eager consumers, as he described.
He elaborated that institutions will once more need to grapple with the query “What is my opportunity cost of capital?” and, in doing so, they will need to establish a benchmark rate for both low- and high-risk investments.
Ramaswamy contended that the benchmark for low-risk investments is the 10-year U.S. Treasury, while the benchmark for high-risk investments will be the return rate on Bitcoin over a 10-to-15-year span.
He concluded his presentation by highlighting how the ethos of America and the ethos of Bitcoin converge, suggesting that, akin to the American flag, Bitcoin symbolizes hope.
“I believe that Bitcoin and what it signifies, beyond being a financial asset, also satisfies the yearning for a symbol, a reminder of what American excellence was rooted in,” said Ramaswamy. “And this makes it, within the national context, an even more appropriate asset for our national Strategic Reserve.”
Matthew Pines: The World Is Watching Bitcoin Following SBR EO
Matthew Pines, Executive Director of BPI, noted that Bitcoin is starting to gain significant attention from global leaders for two primary reasons.
The first, he argued, is due to the increasing fragility of U.S. debt markets, prompting international leaders to seek alternative global reserve assets apart from U.S. Treasuries.
The second reason is that President Trump’s SBR EO explicitly indicated that the United States regards Bitcoin as “digital gold,” and it is only a matter of time before other leaders recognize it in the same manner.
“Last Thursday’s executive order made its way to every major president, central bank [chair], and finance minister across the globe,” said Pines.
“Discussions are now taking place regarding its implications. What does that signify for their respective countries’ associations with Bitcoin? Governments typically do not act swiftly, but when they do, they operate on a large scale, capable of deploying trillions in capital that can yield geopolitical repercussions,” he added.
“I believe we are at a crucial juncture where the geopolitical dimensions of Bitcoin are becoming exceedingly significant and can influence the coming years of Bitcoin’s trajectory. The Bitcoin race is now underway, and it is our responsibility to uphold our advantage.”
Congressman Nick Begich Reintroduces The Bitcoin Act
Following Pines’ conclusion, he welcomed Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) to the stage, where the Congressman unveiled a significant announcement.
“Today, I will be introducing the Bitcoin Act of 2025 in the United States House,” stated Rep. Begich.
The legislation, which is an updated iteration of the proposed bill by Sen. Lummis last year, suggests that the U.S. acquire 1 million Bitcoin (at no cost to taxpayers) and safeguards U.S. citizens’ right to self-custody of their Bitcoin.
“[The bill] explicitly preserves individuals’ rights to own, hold, and transact freely with Bitcoin,” said Rep. Begich. “It acknowledges self-custody
as a basic entitlement.”
Congressman Ro Khanna: Democrats Ought to Endorse Bitcoin
Following a short address from Zack Shapiro, Head of Policy at BPI, regarding the necessity for U.S. states to retain bitcoin in their reserves, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) presented his argument on why Democrats should welcome Bitcoin.
“Bitcoin ought to be nonpartisan,” expressed Rep. Khanna, the sole Democratic official to address the gathering.
“Now, individuals will have the opportunity to acquire bitcoin. This is transformative for countless people globally, and that is the reason the Democratic Party ought to be recognizing this as a means to foster financial empowerment for individuals not only in the United States but worldwide,” he continued.
Jack Mallers: Bitcoin Represents a Return to American Principles
Following several speeches and discussions involving figures such as Casa CEO Nick Neuman, Newmarket Capital CEO Andrew Hohns, and Lightspark CSO Christian Catalini, Strike CEO Jack Mallers took the stage as the concluding speaker of the summit.
In his presentation, titled “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: The American Monetary Revolution”, Mallers argued that the creation of the SBR was “a return to American principles — encompassing life, liberty, and property.”
“The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve executive order and the Bitcoin Act put forth by Senator Lummis represent the most substantial economic transformation and declaration, standing as the singular positive economic development that has emerged from this nation’s capital in the past century,” stated Mallers.
He further remarked that U.S. economic policy has been counterproductive to the foundational principles of the country, citing Executive Order 6102 (gold confiscation under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933), the Nixon Shock (President Nixon’s detachment of the U.S. dollar from gold in 1971), and the 2008 bank bailouts as illustrations.
Nevertheless, he concluded on a positive note.
“[This marks a] crucial moment in American history and a pivotal shift in economic policy for this nation,” claimed Mallers. “The narrative of humanity entails [individuals] crafting a better future — that epitomizes America, that embodies Bitcoin.”
