Trump Touts US Leadership in Crypto and AI Amid Regulatory Push
US President Donald Trump met with technology executives and financial regulators at the White House on August 19, 2026, to discuss regulatory frameworks for digital assets and artificial intelligence. The meeting included representatives from major cryptocurrency companies like Coinbase, Ripple, and Nasdaq, as well as SEC Chair Paul Atkins and Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Innovation Advisory Committee (CFTC) Chair Mike Selig.
Trump praised the US leadership in AI and crypto, stating that they are 'leading by a lot' and want to keep it that way. He also criticized the Biden administration's approach to cryptocurrency, saying it discouraged innovation.
The meeting came after the SEC proposed new rules that would provide exemptions for certain cryptocurrency token offerings, potentially making it easier for companies to issue tokens and raise money. However, broader legislation governing digital asset markets remains pending in Congress, with a Senate vote on the CLARITY Act scheduled for September 15.