Former President Donald Trump, a one-time crypto sceptic, continued his recent courtship of the industry’s money and votes on Saturday with a post on social media expressing his “open minded” approach to the industry.

“I am very positive and open minded to cryptocurrency companies and all things related to this new and burgeoning industry. Our country must be the leader in the field, there is no second place,” Trump posted on his Truth social media platform prior to addressing the Libertarian National Convention in Washington, DC later in the day.

Trump is not alone in appealing to the pro-crypto crowd in the lead-up to November’s elections, as Democrats have also shown signs of easing up in their opposition to all things crypto.

Last week, the US House of Representatives voted to pass a landmark crypto bill as digital assets became something of a political football, DL News reported.

The Republican-led Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, known as the FIT21 Act, passed with a bipartisan vote of 279 in favour and 136 in opposition, with 71 Democrats voting for the bill, which was sent on to the Senate.

Hours before the vote, the Biden administration said it was against the bill, but didn’t threaten a veto — a relief for the industry.

Trump’s campaign also launched a crypto fund-raising site last week as part of its effort to raise a “crypto army” before the election.

Still, the former president’s address to the crowd at the Libertarian Convention didn’t go as well as he probably had hoped, as he was often met with boos and insults, especially when he asked for their votes.

“I’m asking for the Libertarian Party’s endorsement, or at least lots of your votes, lots and lots of Libertarian votes,” Trump said as the crowd booed in response, NBC reported.

One member of the crowd shouted, “Lock him up!” and another yelled, “Donald Trump is a threat to democracy!” according to the report.

Crypto market movers

  • Bitcoin is down 0.20% today at $69,150.20.

  • Ethereum is up 0.65% today at $3,773.30.

What we are reading

  • FTX paid $25m to whistleblowers before bankruptcy — DL News

  • University of Michigan Endowment Increases Its Crypto Investments, Follows Harvard and Yale — Benzinga

  • Phantom Wallet surges in popularity, surpasses Facebook in Google Play — Crypto.News