White House May Use Tariffs to Buy Bitcoin

The Trump administration is exploring innovative funding mechanisms to build the nation’s Bitcoin reserves without burdening taxpayers, including potentially redirecting tariff revenue toward cryptocurrency purchases. Bo Hines, Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, revealed these plans during a White House interview with crypto investor Anthony Pompliano, according to The Street.

“We’re looking at many creative ways, whether it be from tariffs or something else. I mean, there are countless ways in which you can do this,” Hines explained during the conversation. The administration appears determined to position the United States as a global leader in digital asset adoption while developing funding strategies that don’t create new public debt.

This revelation comes amid the administration’s broader push to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, initially seeded with cryptocurrency assets confiscated through federal law enforcement actions. The initiative represents a significant shift in the government’s approach to digital assets and could potentially reshape America’s financial strategy for decades to come.

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Turning Trade Wars into Digital Gold

The consideration of tariff revenue as a Bitcoin funding source comes as the administration implements broader trade policies that have already generated billions in government income. These funds, rather than flowing into general revenue, could be directed toward building what some officials view as a 21st-century equivalent to gold reserves.

Tariffs on imported goods from various countries have become a cornerstone of the administration’s economic policy. Now, those same trade measures could inadvertently fuel America’s entrance into sovereign cryptocurrency ownership at a significant scale.

“Everything’s on the table,” Hines emphasized, indicating the administration is evaluating multiple approaches simultaneously. The strategy reflects a desire to acquire substantial Bitcoin holdings without creating new financial burdens for citizens — a politically savvy approach that could appeal to both fiscal conservatives and crypto enthusiasts.

Gold Certificates: The $3,200 Solution

Perhaps most intriguing among the proposals discussed is the potential revaluation of Treasury gold certificates, which Hines described as “one of the most discussed proposals” currently under consideration. This approach, outlined in Senator Cynthia Lummis’ Bitcoin Reserve Act of 2025, would involve updating the official valuation of gold certificates currently carried on government books at just $43 per ounce.

According to Crypto Times, these certificates could be marked up to gold’s current market value of approximately $3,200 per ounce, instantly creating a substantial paper surplus without selling any physical gold. This accounting adjustment would theoretically free up billions in budget capacity that could be directed toward Bitcoin purchases.

“What you would do is you’d revalue the gold certificates that we currently have at Treasury, most of which are valued, I think, around like $43 an ounce, which is a lot lower than what we’re at now,” Hines elaborated. “If you took that value, you could use that extra funding to buy Bitcoin, which can be used for the reserve.”

Building America’s Crypto Arsenal

The administration’s cryptocurrency initiatives extend beyond just Bitcoin acquisition. Two distinct national reserves are being established: the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve specifically for Bitcoin, and a Digital Asset Stockpile for other confiscated cryptocurrencies that might be strategically deployed or liquidated as needed.

These efforts coincide with remarkable state-level momentum for Bitcoin adoption. Currently, 47 Bitcoin reserve bills have been introduced across 26 states, with 41 still active in various legislatures, demonstrating growing institutional interest in cryptocurrency holdings at multiple government levels.

The federal government is also developing a comprehensive national framework for digital assets, expected to be finalized by late summer. According to Hines, this roadmap will address key regulatory questions surrounding tokenization, staking mechanisms, and the promotion of dollar-backed stablecoins.

Questions and Controversies Remain

Despite the administration’s enthusiasm, several questions remain unanswered. 99Bitcoins noted that Hines did not address potential conflicts of interest related to the former president’s personal involvement in cryptocurrency ventures, including the controversial TRUMP meme coin that has reportedly generated substantial trading fees for Trump-linked entities.

Critics have also questioned whether the promised audit of existing government Bitcoin holdings has been completed. This audit was mandated to conclude within 30 days of President Trump’s March 6 executive order establishing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, but no public results have been announced.

Additionally, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the administration’s crypto-friendly approach. House Democrats have particularly criticized the TRUMP meme coin, with Representative Maxine Waters describing it as emblematic of the “worst of crypto” and Representative Gerald E. Connolly dismissing it as a “money grab.”

As the administration continues exploring funding mechanisms for its ambitious Bitcoin acquisition strategy, the intersection of trade policy, monetary innovation, and digital assets will likely remain at the forefront of economic discussions in Washington and beyond.

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