Bitcoin has reached a historic milestone, surpassing the $81,000 mark, fueled by optimism surrounding Donald Trump’s pro-crypto policies following his re-election as U.S. President. The surge in Bitcoin’s price comes amid expectations of a crypto-friendly Congress and the potential for a regulatory environment that supports digital assets. As a result, other cryptocurrencies like Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin also saw significant price gains.
Bitcoin Hits Record High as Market Capitalization Soars
As of November 11, 2024, Bitcoin was trading at approximately $81,262, up 2.3% for the day. This price jump has propelled Bitcoin’s market capitalization to an impressive $1.6 trillion, pushing the total cryptocurrency market value to $2.8 trillion. This increase in market value is part of a broader rally that has seen U.S. stocks also experience their most impressive performance of the year.
The surge in Bitcoin’s price has also triggered mass liquidations in the market, with 211,649 traders liquidated and a total of $624.9 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGlass data.
A Pro-Crypto Environment Under President Trump
Trump’s victory is seen as a major turning point for the crypto industry, with the prospect of a more crypto-friendly administration and a Congress supportive of digital assets. In the recent elections, 266 pro-crypto representatives were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, outnumbering the 120 who are opposed to crypto.
This pro-crypto shift in Congress, coupled with Trump’s stance on digital assets, has created an environment that could propel further growth in the market. There are hopes that the Trump administration will push forward legislation such as the Bitcoin Act, which proposes positioning Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset for the U.S. government.
Trump’s Plans to Boost Crypto Adoption
Before the election, Trump unveiled plans to establish a decentralized lending service, aiming to facilitate broader crypto adoption in the U.S. As noted by Markus Thielen, founder of 10X Research, the crypto industry—valued at nearly $3 trillion in liquid assets—represents a significant opportunity for economic growth that Trump appears keen to harness.
Thielen highlighted that several key developments could further boost crypto adoption, including the $16.5 billion distribution to FTX creditors, the appointment of a crypto-friendly SEC Chair, and efforts to repeal restrictive regulations like SAB 121. Additionally, the introduction of new crypto accounting standards by FASB, the passage of the 2024 Bitcoin Act, and Congress’s growing pro-crypto stance are all seen as major catalysts for the industry’s growth.
Bitcoin Act: U.S. Government’s Strategic Reserve Asset
One of the most notable proposals is the Bitcoin Act, which seeks to designate Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, akin to gold. If passed, the U.S. government would acquire up to 5% of Bitcoin’s total supply, integrating it into the national reserves. This move would signal a major shift in U.S. economic policy, positioning Bitcoin as an important asset for the country’s financial future.
As Trump prepares to take office, the crypto market remains optimistic about the direction his administration will take, with expectations that his pro-crypto policies will fuel continued growth in the industry.