In a pivotal shift for U.S. financial policy, Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, affirmed in a recent interview that Bitcoin now holds a firm and celebrated position within America’s economic framework. Speaking to Bitcoin Magazine, Lutnick emphasized that the federal government under President Trump is fully embracing Bitcoin’s potential, signaling a profound reversal from the previous administration’s regulatory skepticism.
“What is Bitcoin like? It’s like gold, right?” Lutnick stated, drawing a direct comparison between Bitcoin’s intrinsic value and that of the world’s oldest store of wealth. He went on to criticize the Biden administration’s previous approach, describing it as a period when engaging with Bitcoin felt almost criminalized. “It was treated under the Biden administration like you were doing something wrong,” he said. “Now you have that sort of in the rearview mirror, and it’ll never come back.”
Lutnick’s personal journey with Bitcoin adds an even deeper layer to his current advocacy. He first entered the crypto space in 2017, initially out of academic curiosity about blockchain technology. Over time, his interest evolved into conviction. He described Bitcoin’s rarity—its hard cap of 21 million coins—as the foundation for its long-term value proposition. “It’s just a rare entity. That rarity is what creates its value,” Lutnick explained, recalling how his gradual engagement with blockchain eventually led him to go “all in” on Bitcoin by 2020. His comments reflect a personal passion for Bitcoin that now aligns with his official role in shaping national economic policies.
Today, Lutnick is at the forefront of a substantial policy transformation that sees Bitcoin embraced as a strategic asset for the United States. Working alongside David Sacks, another prominent Bitcoin advocate, Lutnick played a key role in developing the concept of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve — a bold campaign promise that President Trump swiftly moved to implement after taking office. According to Lutnick, it was Trump’s direct leadership and open engagement with both the media and private industry that accelerated the administration’s rapid rollout of pro-Bitcoin measures.
Beyond simply embracing Bitcoin philosophically, Lutnick has been instrumental in creating actionable programs designed to supercharge Bitcoin’s role in the American economy. Chief among these initiatives is the newly launched Investment Accelerator at the Department of Commerce. The program is intended to streamline regulatory processes for billion-dollar-scale investments, providing a fast-track permitting system to stimulate economic growth and innovation. Bitcoin mining sits squarely at the heart of the Accelerator’s early priorities.
Lutnick elaborated that the plan involves enabling Bitcoin mining companies to develop their own private energy infrastructure, such as standalone hydroelectric plants or systems that capture flare gas at oil fields. By reducing miners’ reliance on public electrical grids, this model is designed to lower costs, improve efficiency, and insulate mining operations from broader energy market fluctuations. “You’re going to see miners putting data centers right on top of gas fields,” Lutnick predicted. “This will turbocharge Bitcoin mining in America.”
Addressing potential criticisms about network centralization risks, Lutnick dismissed concerns that an expanded U.S. Bitcoin mining sector could jeopardize Bitcoin’s decentralized nature. Instead, he framed America’s dominance as an inevitable and positive development. “America is the most extraordinary business place on Earth,” he said, suggesting that success within America’s entrepreneurial environment naturally positions Bitcoin for a new era of global growth.
Throughout the interview, Lutnick consistently framed Bitcoin not just as a speculative asset, but as a cornerstone of American economic revitalization. He described Bitcoin as uniquely aligned with the spirit of innovation, risk-taking, and opportunity that defines American enterprise. More importantly, he emphasized that welcoming Bitcoin — and the businesses surrounding it — into the American financial system could uplift communities and individuals who feel left behind by globalization and economic dislocation.
Ultimately, Lutnick’s remarks signal a historic moment: Bitcoin is no longer viewed as an outsider’s asset or a regulatory headache. Under the Trump administration’s new economic vision, Bitcoin is becoming integral to America’s future — a modern-day “digital gold” designed to secure prosperity in a changing world.
