US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appeared at a New York City restaurant known for accepting Bitcoin payments, becoming the first former US president to conduct transactions using cryptocurrency.

The restaurant, Pubkey, announced on X on September 19 that Trump used Bitcoin to purchase a burger at its restaurant, a transaction included in block height 861871. Bitcoin supporter and CEO of Professional Capital Management Anthony Pompliano also attended the campaign event. According to video taken at the scene, Trump purchased at least 12 burgers, distributed them to attendees at the scene, and called them "Crypto Burgers."

NEW: Donald Trump buys burgers as his first Bitcoin purchase at a crypto-currency-themed bar in New York City before handing them out. Trump paid for food at the crypto-themed Pubkey bar for the entire restaurant. The campaign stop comes before Trump is set to hold a… pic.twitter.com/0oAFSHgZCB

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 18, 2024

Although Trump has called Bitcoin a "fraud" and criticized cryptocurrencies as "based on air," he has made a U-turn on cryptocurrencies in recent years, expressing support for Bitcoin miners during the 2024 campaign and has Speaking at Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville. In contrast, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has not included cryptocurrency in her politics or campaign, and according to information disclosed by Fox reporter Eleanor Terrett, top Democrats appear to be strongly opposed to cryptocurrency-related legislation.

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