Donald Trump indulged in a Bitcoin transaction at a New York pub on Wednesday, becoming the first President — former, sitting, or contending — to publicly use the largest crypto asset’s network.
Particularly, the former US president — who is now a Republican presidential candidate — treated supporters to burgers at PubKey, a Bitcoin-themed bar in New York City.
During the visit, Trump asked, "Who wants a burger?" before spending $998.70 on several dozen burgers. He paid using Strike, a payments app built on the Lightning Network, a Bitcoin-based solution for swift transactions.
The bar used Zaprite to receive the Bitcoin payment, a move that Trump highlighted with the remark, "Bitcoin is really happening."
Courting the Crypto Community
Trump’s stop at PubKey came just before a rally in Long Island, highlighting his effort to engage the crypto community.
Earlier this year, he delivered the keynote speech at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, promising to appoint crypto-friendly regulators and even proposing a national strategic Bitcoin stockpile if he wins the upcoming election.
Additionally, he recently headlined a live stream on X to introduce World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance (DeFi) project aimed at competing with traditional banking institutions.
Thomas Pacchia described Trump’s visit as "huge" and "iconic," stating that it marked a notable moment for the Bitcoin community.
Notably, PubKey, often holds educational events about Bitcoin, this made the bar a focal point for both Trump supporters and crypto enthusiasts. Matt Kita, a regular patron noted:
“I do think that there will be people here who will be swayed by one, a pro-Bitcoin stance, but the secondary effect is that more innovative approach to regulation, and allowing entrepreneurs to innovate further.”
A Gradual Move Towards Mainstream Adoption
While Bitcoin has been around for over a decade, it has struggled to establish itself as a commonly used medium for everyday transactions due to market volatility and regulatory challenges.
However, events like Trump's use of Bitcoin for a straightforward transaction could signal a shift, potentially making digital assets more approachable for the general public.
This move as well as Trump’s latest project, World Liberty Financial, which he and his sons have been promoting is seen by many as part of Trump's strategy to align himself with the growing crypto industry.
Trump's engagement with the crypto community might signal a push for more progressive regulation, potentially influencing the direction of crypto policy in the US.
Although it remains unclear whether this will translate into meaningful policy changes, it undeniably represents a major moment for Bitcoin's journey toward mainstream adoption.
