Trump speaks on tech, crypto
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The gist
Trump hosted crypto and tech executives at the White House on Wednesday. The meeting signals his administration's push for industry-friendly digital asset rules.
Background
Trump has made crypto a major part of his economic agenda since returning to the White House in January 2025. His administration, including the SEC and CFTC, has pursued policies to provide clearer rules for digital-asset businesses, contrasting with the previous administration's approach. The meeting comes as Congress's chances of passing an industry-friendly bill this year are slipping, making crypto firms more reliant on Trump and his regulators.
How it unfolded
- Aug 17, 2026CNN reported that Trump regulators allowed Trump's crypto firm World Liberty Financial to become a bank, alarming ethics watchdogs and lawmakers.
- Aug 18, 2026The SEC proposed rules that could make it easier for companies to issue and sell certain digital assets.
- Aug 19, 2026Trump met with crypto and tech executives at the White House, touting U.S. leadership in cryptocurrency and AI. The event was seen as a kickoff for the CFTC's Innovation Advisory Committee.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Trump said the executives were helping ensure the future of markets, such as cryptocurrency, remains in the U.S.
- Caution
- Patrick Woodall of Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund said granting a bank charter to the First Family's crypto firm poses unprecedented risks and creates insurmountable conflicts of interest.
Still unverified
The event was viewed as a kickoff for the CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee, according to reports, but this was not officially confirmed. Also, a White House official told The Hill that prediction market executives were not invited, but this was not independently verified.