Bitcoin Conference Sparks Heated Debate: Political Figures Support Crypto Assets

The 2024 Bitcoin Conference concluded on July 27 in Nashville, Tennessee. This grand event not only attracted numerous well-known figures but also brought Crypto Assets back into the national spotlight. Several political leaders made striking remarks at the conference, injecting new vitality into the encryption market.

Presidential candidates actively embrace Bitcoin

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as a presidential candidate in the United States, was exceptionally active at the convention. He promised that if elected president, he would issue three executive orders related to Bitcoin:

1. Transfer the approximately 200,000 Bitcoins held by the government to the Treasury as "strategic assets".
2. Instruct the Ministry of Finance to purchase 550 Bitcoin daily until the reserves reach 4 million coins.
3. Announce that transactions between Bitcoin and the US dollar are tax-free and do not require reporting.

Kennedy also criticized his competitors for their inconsistent attitudes towards Bitcoin, calling for an explanation of how personal values align with those of Bitcoin holders.

Senator Proposes Bold Purchasing Plan

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis announced that she will propose a measure suggesting that the U.S. Treasury purchase 1 million Bitcoins over five years to offset the effects of dollar depreciation. She emphasized that Bitcoin is an excellent store of value that can help improve the U.S. debt and deficit situation.

Lummis has been a long-time supporter of Bitcoin, having started purchasing it in 2013, and has been committed to promoting Crypto Assets legislation.

Former Intelligence Personnel Warn of Privacy Risks

Former NSA employee Edward Snowden emphasized the privacy issues of Bitcoin transactions in his speech. He pointed out that although it is widely believed that Bitcoin transfers are anonymous, in reality, most transactions can be traced back to individuals through various channels, which could expose users' sensitive information.

Gender Imbalance in the Industry Raises Concerns

Despite the continuous positive news at the conference, there are also voices pointing out the issue of gender discrimination in the crypto industry. According to statistics, only about 13% of the speakers at this conference are women, a figure that has remained low in recent years.

A survey targeting women in the encryption industry shows that 82% of respondents believe there is a problem with sexual harassment in the industry. In addition, malicious remarks against women are rampant on crypto social media, which undoubtedly has a negative impact on an industry that hopes to be accepted by the mainstream.

It is worth noting that some encryption companies have begun to take measures to address this issue. For example, some companies have terminated partnerships due to inappropriate themed parties hosted by partners, and some businesses have requested the resignation of relevant personnel after allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct.

This Bitcoin conference also took gender inclusivity into account by scheduling a "Women’s Brunch" event in the agenda. However, industry insiders generally believe that the crypto assets sector still has a long way to go in terms of gender equality.