Vice President JD Vance delivers powerful remarks this afternoon at the annual Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, a major event for the crypto industry.
The speech is expected to touch on how Bitcoin and other digital assets are shaping the U.S. economy, investment landscape, and national security policy.
This comes as the Trump administration ramps up its crypto agenda. In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to start building a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Earlier this week, he also hosted leading crypto investors at a closed-door event at Mar-a-Lago.
Vance’s appearance marks a continuation of the White House’s active engagement with digital currencies. Trump spoke at the conference last year, signaling a long-term pivot toward blockchain as a strategic economic priority.
JD Vance takes the stage in Las Vegas
A rousing applause welcomed JD Vance to the stage who opened his speech joking:
“You know the Secret Service is a little bit nervous because I told him these Bitcoin guys really like guns.”
Vance thanked David Bailey , the man behind the iconic annual conference:
“So I first have to thank David Bailey, grateful for everything that you've done for the Bitcoin community."
Bailey is the one who advised Trump on crypto policy during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Vance also thanked the Bitcoin community for supporting Trump and himself reach from candidacy to the White House.
Celebrating Bitcoin’s rally and institutional momentum
The vice president celebrated Bitcoin's recent record-breaking rally and thanked the organizers and attendees for an "incredible event."
“I want to thank the good people at Coinbase , the organizers of this event, and everybody who made this incredible event possible.”
Why Vance is optimistic about crypto
“I want to speak about why I'm personally optimistic about crypto and what it means for the American people. People ask me why I tend to be bullish on the future of innovation in this country. I spent enough time in Silicon Valley to recognize the difference between good tech, technology that boosts our productivity, makes our lives richer, the grounds us in the real world, and complements our day to day lives. That's the good technology. But there's also some bad technology out there. And when it comes to crypto, I think the last several years have made it clear that we're talking about genuine ground up innovation, one that's already improving the well being of 10s of millions of our fellow citizens. I believe it's 50 million Americans own Bitcoin, and I believe that's going to be 100 million before too long.”
Crypto finally has a champion in the white house
The vice president provided a defining message announcing a change in administrative policy regarding digital assets during Trump's second presidential term and stated:
"Crypto finally has a champion and an ally in the White House."
On bureaucrats and Operation Chokepoint
“Will we lead our nation into a future of financial sovereignty, of innovation and prosperity, or will we let unelected bureaucrats and four competitors write the rules for us?”
“Put it simply, Operation Choke Point 2.0 is dead , and it's not coming back under the Trump administration.”
Targeting regulators like Gensler
As Vance spoke about firing former SEC chair Gary Gensler , the audience went ecstatic.
"We’re going to fire everybody like him.”
The vice president added that such regulators inhibit innovation in the name of protecting consumer interest.
Stablecoins and the GENIUS act
Vance spoke about the GENIUS Act :
“Once the GENIUS Act is enacted, it’s poised to vastly expand the use of stablecoins as a digital payments system for millions of our fellow Americans.”
The vice president added:
“The bill would protect coin holders and inject further transparency into the market.”
“Let me be emphatic — this administration does not think that stablecoins threaten the integrity of the United States dollar.”
“Quite the opposite. We view them as a force multiplier of our economic might.”
“Dollar-pegged stablecoins, particularly once the GENIUS Act is enacted, are only going to help the American economy and strengthen the American dollar.”
“The GENIUS Act, which the House of Representatives has passed, provides clear guidelines for stablecoin issuance, including reserve requirements and federal oversight.”
A warning on losing crypto innovation overseas
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity right now in this Congress and with this administration to unleash innovation and use it to improve the lives of countless American citizens.”
He stressed that failure to create regulatory clarity risks pushing the $3 trillion crypto industry offshore.
“President Trump is going to fight to make sure that it doesn't happen.”
Vance’s personal Bitcoin journey
“First of all, I remember when I ran for Senate, the first time I'd ever enter politics, back in 2022 and one of the frustrations, honestly, that I had with the crypto community as a person who was one of the only people running for office who actually owned Bitcoin, and I still own a fair amount of Bitcoin today.”
Calling out the Biden era of crypto regulation
Reflecting on the previous administration, Vance said:
“What the Biden administration was doing, what Gary Gensler was doing, was a disaster.”
“Part of the reason I’m standing here… part of the reason Bernie Moreno defeated Sherrod Brown in the Senate campaign last year is because you got involved in American politics.”
“And I’m grateful to you for that."
A call to action: crypto must stay engaged
“Every victory that we win is only a provisional victory.”
Vance called on crypto advocates to remain politically involved.
Crypto vs. AI: A cultural line
“Crypto is about exit, AI is about voice.”
“Very smart right-wing people in tech tend to be attracted to Bitcoin and crypto, and very smart left-wing people in tech tend to be more attracted to AI .”
“A fundamental aspect of truth in it.”
Looking ahead: Bitcoin, AI, and American innovation
“What happens in AI is very much going to affect, in good and bad ways, what happens to Bitcoin.”
“And of course, what happens to Bitcoin is very much going to affect what happens in AI.”
Final word
“We've accomplished a lot, but we have plans to continue to make big progress for this industry and for the American people.”
Live: Vice President JD Vance delivers powerful remarks at Bitcoin Conference first appeared on TheStreet on May 28, 2025
