With the election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, cryptocurrency-focused economist Timothy Peterson has stated that he believes it will be a transformative period for Bitcoin and the overall digital asset market.
Peterson touched on the following important points in his statement:
The End of the Gentile Era
Peterson noted that current SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, whose term officially runs through 2026, is potentially being ousted. Gensler has been at the center of controversy within the crypto community due to his aggressive stance on regulating digital assets. According to Peterson, recent election results have positioned Congress in a way that Gensler’s term will not last long. “With the Senate taking his place, Gensler will be out and will have no role in government,” Peterson said, adding that Gensler’s departure could lead to a more innovation-friendly regulatory environment.
Hester Peirce as Potential SEC Chair
Peterson suggested that Hester Peirce, often referred to as “Crypto Mom,” could be a strong candidate to replace Gensler. Known for her advocacy of regulatory openness and her “safe harbor” proposal aimed at encouraging crypto projects, Peirce would be in line with the pro-crypto sentiment of the Trump administration. The SEC Chair is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, so her appointment could mark a significant policy shift.
Sherrod Brown's Resignation
One notable change in Congress is the departure of Senator Sherrod Brown, former Chairman of the Senate Banking and Finance Committee and a staunch crypto opponent. Brown played a key role in supporting regulatory measures seen as detrimental to the crypto industry, such as “Operation Choke Point 2.0.” Peterson called Brown’s departure a positive move, noting that it paves the way for pro-Bitcoin Senator Tim Scott to lead the committee.
A Pro-Bitcoin Senate Majority
With the election results, prominent names such as Tim Scott, Cynthia Lummis, Ted Cruz, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who support Bitcoin and digital innovation, have begun to emerge in the Senate. Peterson stated that this group could help shape legislation that supports the growth of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in the United States in the coming years.
A Bitcoin-Friendly President
Peterson touched on Trump’s complicated relationship with Bitcoin, noting that Trump has both criticized and later supported Bitcoin in the space of five years. While Trump himself has not invested deeply in understanding Bitcoin, Peterson suggested that influential pro-crypto figures around him, such as Vivek Ramaswamy, Elon Musk, JD Vance, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could help guide the administration toward policies favorable to digital assets. “This administration can begin to lay the groundwork for an eventual Bitcoin currency reserve, similar to how the United States maintains its gold and oil reserves,” Peterson said.
*This is not investment advice.
