- Donald Trump made his first Bitcoin transaction in a New York bar as part of his presidential campaign, where he purchased a cheeseburger using Bitcoin.
- The move is seen as a strategic effort to showcase his support for cryptocurrency and to appeal to voters interested in digital assets and blockchain technology.
On September 18, former U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines by conducting his first-ever Bitcoin transaction during a campaign stop at PubKey Bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The bar, renowned for its strong ties to the cryptocurrency community, served as the backdrop for Trump’s groundbreaking foray into the world of digital assets, a move aimed at solidifying his image as a modern, tech-savvy leader.
While the transaction was publicized widely across various media platforms, it was particularly celebrated on Trump’s own social media network, Truth Social, where a video of the event was posted. In the footage, Trump can be seen buying a cheeseburger with Bitcoin and handing out burgers to customers. With a smile, he quipped,
“This is a crypto-burger,”
drawing applause from the crowd.
However, it wasn’t Trump who directly handled the technical aspects of the Bitcoin payment. An aide assisted him in navigating the process, showing him how the digital transaction worked. Despite this, Trump’s campaign was quick to capitalize on the event, with Truth Social declaring that Trump is the
“first U.S. president to conduct a Bitcoin transaction.”
The choice of PubKey Bar as the venue for this symbolic gesture was not random. PubKey Bar has established itself as a hub for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, regularly hosting events and meetups dedicated to blockchain and virtual assets. The establishment’s deep connection to the crypto world made it an ideal setting for Trump to emphasize his stance on the future of digital currencies in America.
This event aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to appeal to the growing base of cryptocurrency supporters. At the Bitcoin 2024 conference held earlier in July, he gave a speech where he laid out his vision for the future of cryptocurrencies in the United States. Trump pledged that, if elected president in November, he would prevent the sale of the roughly 210,000 BTC currently held by the U.S. Department of Justice. His plan includes using these digital assets as part of a national reserve, showcasing his belief in the long-term value of Bitcoin.
In addition to his direct involvement with Bitcoin, Trump has been vocal about his broader ambitions for the U.S. in the realm of virtual currencies. At a recent campaign event hosted by the New York Economic Club, he reaffirmed his intent to transform the United States into a global hub for cryptocurrency innovation. Trump emphasized that fostering a pro-crypto environment would be central to his economic policies if re-elected.
Further signaling his commitment to blockchain technology, Trump, along with his three sons, recently launched plans for a non-fungible token (NFT) called “WLFI,” under the DeFi (decentralized finance) project World Liberty Financial. This NFT venture represents yet another step in his ongoing efforts to integrate digital assets into his platform.