- The White House Crypto Summit could officially launch the U.S. strategic crypto reserve, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano.
- Debate continues over whether the reserve should include altcoins, with some arguing Bitcoin alone is the best choice.
- Bitcoin rebounded to $89,500 ahead of the summit, but market uncertainty remains high amid regulatory and policy shifts.
Crypto anticipation is reaching a fever pitch as the White House Crypto Summit looms on Friday. The historic event could mark the official launch of the U.S. strategic crypto reserve, with key industry leaders and members of President Donald Trump’s crypto task force in attendance. Meanwhile, Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies have rebounded slightly in the lead-up to the summit.
What to Expect at the White House Crypto Summit
Set for March 7, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, the summit will be led by David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto czar. Many expect the administration to unveil full details on the U.S. strategic crypto reserve, following Trump’s social media post on Sunday hinting at its structure. According to Trump, the reserve will include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and select altcoins like XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA).
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed on Tuesday that Bitcoin will receive “special treatment” in the reserve strategy. “A Bitcoin strategic reserve is something the President’s interested in. He spoke about it all during the campaign trail, and I think you’re going to see it executed on Friday,” Lutnick stated. However, he added that other cryptocurrencies would be handled differently, with more details to come at the summit.
Industry Reactions and Debate Over Altcoins
The inclusion of altcoins like XRP, SOL, and ADA has stirred debate. Some, like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, believe a Bitcoin-only reserve makes the most sense, arguing that Bitcoin’s role as digital gold aligns best with a national reserve strategy. Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that Bitcoin remains the “undisputed store of value for the digital age.”
Others, however, see value in diversifying the reserve. Trump’s decision to launch his own meme coin on Solana and XRP’s evolving legal status suggest that the administration views these assets as critical components of a broader digital economy.
Trump’s Crypto Push and Potential Policy Shifts
The summit follows Trump’s January executive order to accelerate digital asset adoption. The order established the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, led by Sacks, with a mandate to propose regulations and frameworks for stablecoins, digital assets, and risk management within 180 days.
Speculation is also swirling over potential tax breaks for crypto projects. Reports suggest Eric Trump has floated the idea of zero capital gains taxes for U.S.-based crypto firms, a move that could attract significant investment.
Key Attendees
The summit will bring together 20-25 top industry leaders alongside Trump administration officials. Confirmed attendees include Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong, MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov, and Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey. Representatives from major venture capital firms, such as Paradigm and Multicoin Capital, will also be present.
Meanwhile, Trump’s previously announced “crypto council” appears to have been scrapped due to internal disputes. Instead, the administration is opting for periodic summits like this one to engage with the industry.
Market Impact and Crypto Price Movements
Bitcoin has climbed back to $89,500 after dipping to $82,000 earlier in the week. The price surged to $95,000 on Sunday after Trump’s reserve announcement but quickly retreated following new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Ethereum has also rebounded to $2,220, while ADA, XRP, and SOL have posted gains of 46%, 20%, and 5% over the past week, respectively.
The market remains on edge, with investors awaiting concrete details from the summit. Whether this event marks a turning point for U.S. crypto policy—or just another round of speculation—remains to be seen.
