Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his debut appearance at the Bitcoin 2023 conference, where he expressed his unwavering support for Bitcoin and emphasized the importance of freedom in the United States.
Kennedy, known for his advocacy of civil liberties, highlighted the significance of Bitcoin as a means to protect and exercise individual freedoms. Drawing from his observations during the Canadian trucker protest, where Bitcoin was utilized to circumvent financial restrictions, Kennedy underscored the critical role of free money in upholding freedom of expression.
Since May 2023, Kennedy has been publicly endorsing Bitcoin, distinguishing it from other cryptocurrencies and urging legislators to foster its growth rather than hinder it through regulations like the proposed tax on miner energy consumption by the Biden administration. During his speech, Kennedy reiterated his aversion to such regulations and outlined his administration’s plans to promote Bitcoin innovation in the country.
Among the steps Kennedy proposed were defending the right to self-custody digital assets, upholding the right to run a node at home, advocating for use-neutral and industry-neutral energy regulations, and ensuring that the United States remains a global hub for cryptocurrencies. He also expressed his intention to review cases like that of Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road founder, who was sentenced to a double life term in 2013, and consider whether their prosecution was an attempt to crack down on crypto or a response to actual crimes. Kennedy stated that he would act swiftly, potentially granting pardons in such cases.
Kennedy’s bid for the Democratic primary began shortly before his public support for the Bitcoin industry on social media and his announcement of his participation in the Bitcoin 2023 conference. Diverging from the mainstream Democratic stance on issues like vaccine mandates and climate change, Kennedy has positioned himself as an outsider within the party. While currently in second place, he trails significantly behind Joe Biden in national polling averages.
At the Bitcoin 2023 conference, Kennedy clarified that he does not personally hold any bitcoin investments. He also announced that his presidential campaign would be the first in history to accept donations via the Lightning Network, a layer-2 scaling solution for Bitcoin.
In conclusion, Kennedy emphasized the importance of fortifying democratic institutions in the face of rising totalitarianism. He regarded Bitcoin as the most significant tool for this purpose due to its resistance to manipulation.
