There’s a new sheriff in town—or at least that’s how Vice President JD Vance framed it from the main stage at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas. In a packed ballroom at The Venetian, the Republican VP laid out the clearest message yet from the Trump administration: the days of what he called “regulatory harassment” are over.

“Operation Choke Point 2.0 is dead,” Vance announced to roaring applause. “Let my words serve as its obituary.”
— Translation: Operation Choke Point 2.0 has been terminated.

JD Vance became the first U.S. vice president to address a crypto-focused crowd, using this platform to criticize the SEC’s overreach and elevate blockchain to national priority status. He made it explicit that the White House is firmly backing Bitcoin.

“We reject regulators, and we fired Gary Gensler,” he said, criticizing the agency that has been engaged in legal battles with major crypto entities like Coinbase, Ripple, and Uniswap.

JD Vance’s Advocacy for the GENESIS Act

Vance positioned cryptocurrency as pivotal to a new economic strategy. He drew attention to blockchain’s extensive potential, stating: “Crypto is good for bad policy, regardless of who’s in power.”

His most prominent announcement was the push for the GENESIS Act, new legislation aimed at clarifying protections for digital assets and fostering crypto innovation in the United States.

“We’re trying to get the GENESIS Act passed and pushed as fast as possible,” Vance emphasized.

The impact of Vance’s backing on long-term policy remains to be determined, but there is no doubt that cryptocurrency influenced the 2024 elections significantly, making his appearance as much about strategic politics as it was about firm belief in digital currency.

If capital continues to flow into the crypto space, it’s likely we’ll see more Republican leaders engaging with this pivotal industry.