Cryptonews Blockchain News

Trump’s Return Could Ignite Crypto Market Growth, CleanSpark CEO Predicts After SEC Shift

As crypto firms ease past reporting hurdles, legacy players eye bitcoin and mining ventures gain steam amid shifting rules, hinting at major asset inflow should a returning leader back the sector.

Author

Julia Smith

Author

Julia Smith

About Author

Julia is an experienced editor with a passion for covering a wide variety of beats. She loves all things politics and regularly covers regulatory updates on emerging technology here for Crypto News.

Author Profile

Last updated:

April 17, 2025

Why Trust Cryptonews

Cryptonews has covered the cryptocurrency industry topics since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts have extensive experience in market analysis and blockchain technologies. We strive to maintain high editorial standards, focusing on factual accuracy and balanced reporting across all areas - from cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects to industry events, products, and technological developments. Our ongoing presence in the industry reflects our commitment to delivering relevant information in the evolving world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews

Key Takeaways:

Political shifts have eased accounting rules that once hampered crypto custody.
Repeal of the SEC’s custody bulletin has drawn traditional finance back to bitcoin.
Trump‑linked crypto ventures add another layer to market dynamics.
Long‑term growth will hinge on the shape of new U.S. digital‑asset rules.

In an April 17 interview with CNBC, CleanSpark CEO Zachary Bradford said President Donald Trump’s policies have been a ‘net positive’ for digital assets.

He attributed the momentum to fresh institutional interest triggered by Congress’s repeal of SEC bulletin SAB 121 earlier this month.

Trump’s Second Term Is A Net Positive, CleanSpark CEO Says

“Since the administration took office, it’s been a net positive for our industry and a lot of this comes from the regulatory landscape,” Bradford told CNBC’s Talia Kaplan on Thursday.

“In the prior years, you know the Bitcoin industry and the crypto industry as a whole, we had a lot of headwinds that we were facing,” Bradford continued. “We find ourselves with some tailwinds at this point.”

The crypto entrepreneur pointed to the repeal of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) controversial bulletin, SAB121 – which required financial institutions custodying digital assets to list them as liabilities on their balance sheet – as having the “highest impact” for the crypto sector.

SAB 121 being repealed may be the most important domino to fall for #Bitcoin under the new administration. It will now be easier for major financial institutions to participate in the future of finance.
— Zach Bradford (@ZachKBradford) January 23, 2025

“As a result, there’s now more traditional institutions becoming interested in holding Bitcoin and interacting with it,” he added.

Trump Sons Invest in New BTC Mining Operation

Bradford’s comments come just weeks after crypto infrastructure firm Hut 8 announced that it would be launching Bitcoin mining firm American Bitcoin with investments from Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.

American Bitcoin is here.

Join us for the official launch presentation tomorrow, April 1 at 8:30 am ET to hear co-founder @EricTrump and the @Hut8Corp leadership team discuss our vision and strategy for the company.

We will also be hosting a Space tomorrow at 3:00 pm ET (stay… pic.twitter.com/5FfyFWkAf9
— American Bitcoin (@AmericanBTC) March 31, 2025

When asked by Kaplan if he was “fazed” by the Trump-affiliated crypto company’s most recent announcement, Bradford reaffirmed that CleanSpark would “continue doing what we do best” as the Bitcoin miner “with the highest operational excellence in the industry.”

“The scale we’re operating at will take a long time for anybody to catch up on,” he said.

Whether Bradford’s vision materializes now hinges on the substance of America’s forthcoming crypto rulebook: clear guardrails could channel mainstream capital into Bitcoin mining and beyond, while prolonged regulatory drift risks eroding the very tailwinds he sees today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What impact did SAB 121 have on financial institutions before its repeal?

Government-held bitcoin from forfeitures is pooled into a non-selling reserve subject to audits and management guidelines. It diversifies assets without new spending but prompts concerns over liquidity and governance.

What challenges remain for institutional crypto adoption despite recent rule changes?

Even after SAB 121’s repeal, firms must address SAB 122 requirements, evolving SEC and CFTC roles, and secure custody systems. Regulatory gaps and varied state laws continue to complicate institutional entry.

How do White House crypto policies influence mining operations and market sentiment?

By issuing supportive orders and engaging regulators, the White House improved market outlook and helped miners secure capital for expansion. Yet, mining investment and sentiment remain sensitive to future policy clarity.