Michael Saylor, the executive chairman of MicroStrategy, could potentially be a part of President-elect Donald Trump’s crypto advisory council.
In a Dec. 18 interview with Bloomberg, Saylor said he is willing to serve as an advisor on cryptocurrency matters under the administration of Trump.
When asked about his engagement with Trump or the incoming administration, Saylor responded, “I’ve met with a lot of people in the incoming administration, but I couldn’t comment further than that,” Saylor said.
However, when asked on whether he would serve on a potential crypto advisory council reportedly under consideration, he added, “I’m always willing to provide thoughts on constructive digital assets policy, either in confidence or publicly. And if I’m asked to serve on some sort of digital assets advisory council, I probably would do so. Yes.”
This comes amid speculation about the direction of crypto regulation under Trump’s administration, which has shown signs of a pro-crypto stance.
Meanwhile, MicroStrategy announced on Dec. 15, the acquisition of an additional 15,350 BTC at an average price of $100,386 per Bitcoin, a purchase totaling $1.5 billion. This brings the company’s Bitcoin holdings to 439,000 BTC, currently valued at $45.6 billion. The acquisition was funded through share sales from MicroStrategy’s at-the-market (ATM) program, which now has $7.65 billion remaining.
Trump’s Pro-Crypto Policy
Trump reiterated on Dec. 12 that the United States “wants to be ahead” of other nations like China in embracing Bitcoin.
Under his leadership, the incoming administration has unveiled plans to integrate Bitcoin into the U.S. financial system, including a proposal to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve, modeled after the nation’s oil reserve.
In addition to the proposed Bitcoin reserve, reports suggest that Trump is forming a crypto advisory council to guide policy. Industry leaders from Ripple, Kraken, and Circle are reportedly vying for seats on this influential panel.
Paul Atkins, a former SEC commissioner with a history of pro-crypto views, is Trump's choice for the next SEC Chair. Atkins’ appointment on Dec. 5 fueled speculation that the administration will adopt a regulatory framework favorable to digital assets. This would mark a contrast to the SEC’s recent history under Gary Gensler, who has faced criticism for what many perceive as a heavy-handed approach to crypto regulation.
On Dec. 7, Trump appointed David Sacks as the White House Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency czar.
Sacks is a venture capitalist and tech entrepreneur with a track record in Silicon Valley. He co-founded PayPal, serving as its Chief Operating Officer, and later founded Yammer, an enterprise social networking service acquired by Microsoft for $1.2 billion. Sacks is also the co-founder of Craft Ventures, a venture capital firm with investments spanning AI and cryptocurrency sectors.
In his capacity as AI and Crypto Czar, Sacks is tasked with developing a comprehensive legal framework to provide clarity and support for the cryptocurrency industry within the United States
Sacks will also lead the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, advising the administration on policy decisions related to AI and cryptocurrency.