Trump Says China Wants a Deal + SEC Approves Options Trading for Spot Ether ETFs
As Trump’s deepening involvement in crypto, including meme coins, a family-linked stablecoin, and a DeFi project facing major losses, draws scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about conflicts of interest, bipartisan efforts in Congress push forward legislation that could reshape U.S. crypto regulation by limiting SEC oversight. Meanwhile, China and Russia begin settling energy trades in Bitcoin, major firms win approval for Ether ETF options, and institutional flows signal growing global adoption, placing digital assets at the center of geopolitical, financial, and political transformation.
Because Bitcoin
April 9, 2025
Trump’s Crypto Ties Stir Tension as Lawmakers Push Digital Asset Legislation Forward
At a U.S. House Financial Services Committee hearing, lawmakers and crypto industry advisors agreed on the urgent need for regulation in the fast-evolving digital asset space. However, they avoided directly addressing concerns about President Donald Trump’s involvement in crypto ventures, including the launch of a meme token and a family-backed stablecoin. While bipartisan momentum builds for crypto legislation—some of which could reduce SEC oversight—Democrats raised alarms over Trump’s potential conflicts of interest and personal financial gains from crypto. Despite sharp criticism, particularly from Rep. Maxine Waters, industry experts declined to comment on Trump’s business dealings. The hearing reflected growing political divisions over how to regulate crypto, especially under a pro-crypto administration.
👉CHECK OUT BB PREMIUM
Trump Says China Wants a Deal, Promises Relief for Struggling Companies Based on ‘Instinct’
During a press briefing on Wednesday, President Donald Trump discussed his tariff strategy, acknowledging rising market fears but suggesting the reaction was overblown. He hinted that the newly announced 90-day pause and 125% tariff hike on China could be temporary and claimed China is eager to strike a deal, though unsure how to proceed. Trump also said more than 75 countries are interested in trade agreements with the U.S. When asked about providing relief to large companies hurt by the tariffs, he said exemptions would be considered—and decided “just instinctively.”
VanEck: China and Russia Settling Energy Trades in Bitcoin Amid Rising Global Tensions
A new VanEck report reveals that China and Russia have begun using Bitcoin to settle certain energy transactions, signaling a broader shift away from U.S.-dominated financial systems. The move comes in response to fresh U.S. tariffs issued by the Trump administration, which have heightened fears of monetary and geopolitical fragmentation. Bolivia has joined the trend, and French energy giant EDF is exploring Bitcoin mining with its surplus electricity exports. VanEck’s Matthew Sigel noted that Bitcoin’s role in global trade is becoming more practical than speculative. Meanwhile, softening Fed policy and dollar weakness could further support Bitcoin as a macro hedge. With over $600 million in net inflows to U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETPs this year, analysts are closely watching whether more countries will adopt crypto to bypass dollar-based systems.
👉CHECK OUT BB TERMINAL
Trump-Backed DeFi Project Dumps ETH at a Loss as Markets Slide
World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance project linked to the Trump family, reportedly sold 5,471 ETH for $8 million—realizing a $125 million loss after buying the tokens at much higher prices earlier this year. On-chain data from Arkham revealed the sale occurred despite Eric Trump recently calling it a “great time to buy” when ETH was trading at $2,880. The main wallet still holds $98 million in crypto, including $11.7 million in ETH. Donald Trump echoed the optimism on Truth Social, claiming it’s a “great time to buy,” even as major indices and crypto markets have dropped significantly since his January 20 inauguration. The TRUMP and MELANIA meme coins have also plummeted, down 83% and 95% respectively.
SEC Approves Options Trading for Spot Ether ETFs
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved options trading for multiple spot Ether ETFs, including BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust, Bitwise’s ETHW, Grayscale’s ETHE and Mini Trust, and Fidelity’s FETH. The move expands institutional access to Ether through lower-cost hedging tools and follows the initial spot ETF approvals in July 2024. Despite the regulatory green light, net inflows into Ether ETFs remain modest compared to Bitcoin products. Since Donald Trump took office, the SEC has softened its stance on crypto, closing investigations into major firms like Coinbase and Uniswap Labs. Alongside these shifts, Congress is fast-tracking legislation to formalize the role of stablecoins and crypto market structures, signaling a broader pro-crypto pivot in U.S. policy.
Resources: