Trump Plan Could See U.S. Buying Bitcoin with Tariff Revenue in 'Creative' Strategy

US Eyes Bitcoin Buys Using Gold Revaluation and Tariff Funds

The Trump administration is exploring ways to increase the United States’ Bitcoin holdings without burdening taxpayers or increasing national debt.

Among the ideas under consideration are the use of funds generated from import tariffs and the revaluation of old gold certificates held by the Treasury.

Bo Hines, Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, revealed the ongoing internal discussions during a podcast interview with crypto investor Anthony Pompliano on 14 April.

Hines said,

“Everything’s on the table. We’re looking at many creative ways, whether it be from tariffs, whether it be from something else.”

How Gold Certificates Could Unlock Billions

One of the most talked-about proposals involves revaluing Treasury gold certificates that are still listed at their historic value of around $43 per ounce.

With current gold prices hovering above $3,100 per ounce, the discrepancy could be used to generate a substantial accounting surplus.

Hines explained,

“If we revalued those certificates at current gold prices, about $3,100 an ounce, it would generate a massive surplus of untapped capital.”

He suggested this surplus could be redirected toward Bitcoin purchases for what the administration calls the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

He continued,

“That’s just one idea. But we’ll consider every possibility, including tariff revenue.”

When questioned about his personal goal of bitcoins to acquire, Hines remarked,

“I'd like it to be infinite, I want as much as we can possibly accumulate.”

Trump Administration Aims for Long-Term Crypto Holdings

Rather than using the assets for short-term speculation, Hines said the goal is to build a permanent strategic Bitcoin reserve.

The plan is tied closely to Senator Cynthia Lummis’ reintroduced Bitcoin Act of 2025, which proposes acquiring up to 1 million BTC—roughly 5% of the total supply—over a five-year period.

Hines noted,

“If we realise the gains on the US gold holdings, that would be a budget-neutral way to acquire more Bitcoin.”

The bill's progress will depend heavily on bipartisan support and co-sponsorship.

Where Will the Bitcoin Come From?

In addition to new acquisitions, some of the Bitcoin could come from digital assets already held by the government.

These include coins seized in criminal investigations or forfeited under federal law.

However, the actual number of Bitcoins currently held by the US remains uncertain.

Although President Trump signed an executive order on 6 March to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and mandated an internal audit within 30 days, no official figures have been published.

Data from Arkham Intelligence estimates the current holdings at nearly 200,000 BTC.

Hines was not asked to comment on the audit’s status during the podcast.

Is Trump Really That Supportive of Bitcoin?

When asked about the President’s stance on digital assets, Hines made no effort to play it down.

“I think he’s made it very clear that he loves Bitcoin. He’s made it very clear that he loves digital assets and the innovation in this space, and so for us, you know, our goal is to deliver on his wishes to make the United States the crypto capital of the planet.”

Behind the scenes, Hines has been actively shaping crypto policy within the administration.

According to public records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, he held over 50 meetings with industry figures during his first 30 days in office.

Attendees have included high-profile names such as Andreessen Horowitz’s Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and BNY Mellon’s Caroline Butler.

These discussions have taken place in a mix of casual and formal settings—from Zoom calls and Washington cafés to the White House itself.

During a recent meeting at a popular Israeli-American café Tatte near the White House, Hines told Fortune,

“I want to meet with everyone in this space, big players, small players. I want to hear ideas from everyone.”

Controversy Over Trump’s Personal Crypto Ties

Despite the policy enthusiasm, criticism continues to mount over Trump-linked crypto ventures.

Neither Hines nor Pompliano addressed the TRUMP memecoin during their discussion, though it has sparked heated debate among lawmakers.

Representative Gerald Connolly previously accused the coin of being a “money grab” and claimed it generated over $100 million in trading fees for entities tied to Trump.

On launch day, 20 January, Representative Maxine Waters described it as a “rug pull” and a showcase of “the worst of crypto.”

Investor David Sacks has pushed back against these allegations, calling the memecoin a “collectible” and insisting it has no bearing on official policy.

Bitcoin Price Rebounds After Tariff-Driven Dip

Meanwhile, Bitcoin has shown signs of short-term recovery following a dip earlier this month caused by investor concerns over Trump-era tariffs.

Prices fell below $80,000, bottoming out around $75,000, before rebounding to $85,909 as of writing.

Traders are now eyeing $88,000 as the next key resistance level.

A more detailed crypto strategy from the administration is expected to be released this summer, covering areas such as staking, tokenisation, and the global role of US dollar stablecoins.