RECAP: White House Crypto Meeting — August 19, 2026
President Trump hosted top crypto and finance leaders at the White House today ahead of the first-ever CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee meeting, framing it as a milestone for U.S. digital asset leadership.
Key takeaways:
• Trump declared "we ended the war on crypto once and for all," crediting his administration with reversing what he called Biden-era regulatory attacks on innovation.
• He reaffirmed his executive order banning a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC).
• The U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve remains a "permanent asset" of the Treasury, alongside a separate Digital Asset Stockpile holding other cryptocurrencies.
• Marking its first anniversary, Trump touted the GENIUS Act for driving "widespread adoption of dollar-backed stablecoins."
• On global competition, Trump claimed the U.S. is "way ahead" of China in AI and crypto — while confirming Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the U.S. on September 24, with AI likely on the agenda.
• SEC Chair Paul Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael Selig were praised for their leadership, alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce
