A Year of Pro-Crypto Policy: Regulatory Progress, Market Decline, and Uneven Winners

Source: CryptoNewsNet Original Title: A Year of Trump: Pro-Crypto White House, Falling Markets, and One Clear Winner Original Link: Despite a year of regulatory easing in the United States, cryptocurrencies across the board have seen their values depreciate sharply during recent policy shifts. What was at first a highly anticipated positive shift for crypto turned out to generate more losses than wins for investors. The biggest winner of crypto’s deeper integration into traditional finance seemed to be certain political figures themselves.

Crypto Optimism in Washington

The crypto community entered 2025 with heightened expectations as pro-crypto policy shifts were anticipated.

On the campaign trail, political figures branded themselves as “crypto-friendly” and pledged to make the United States the world’s crypto capital. Those statements raised industry optimism, which intensified further when a prominent political figure launched his own meme coin.

To a degree, commitments were followed through. Almost immediately, a crypto czar was appointed and a crypto-friendly chair was installed at the helm of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Federal legislation to regulate segments of the crypto industry was also signed into law.

Expectations were modest to begin with. Years of criticism directed at previous SEC approaches had left many in the industry willing to welcome almost any shift in direction.

Vocal backing of crypto remained consistent, with statements supporting the industry and pointing to expectations surrounding potential regulatory clarity.

Still, as achievements were highlighted, the cryptocurrency market continued to register losses, with prices trending lower.

Crypto Prices Slide Despite Regulatory Progress

In an assessment of price performance among leading cryptocurrencies, major assets have recorded negative returns over the past year. Bitcoin was down 13.4% since January, while Ethereum had declined by just under 9%.

Other altcoins performed considerably worse. Ripple’s XRP fell by 39%, Solana’s SOL dropped roughly 50%, and Cardano’s ADA declined by 63%.

These figures suggest that, despite the regulatory momentum the crypto industry gained in 2025, broader forces have continued to weigh on market performance.

As with equities, tariff policies have significantly shaped expectations for sustained, stable growth. Despite meaningful structural progress, crypto remains a largely speculative asset class. In periods of heightened uncertainty, it is often among the first markets to absorb the impact.

Following announcements of major tariff implementations, Bitcoin experienced significant downward pressure, sliding to its lowest levels in months. On subsequent tariff announcements, Bitcoin fell by 8% to 10% in a single session. The wider crypto market saw billions of dollars in liquidations.

Tariffs alone did not account for this volatility. Additional pressures, including repeated challenges to central bank independence and rising geopolitical tensions, have further intensified market swings.

Uncertainty persists over whether the administration will maintain its current trajectory. Should it do so, some crypto investors may begin to reassess the balance between regulatory support and broader macroeconomic risks.

Still, losses have not been universal.

Certain political figures and their families, in particular, have emerged as notable beneficiaries of the sector’s expansion.

Presidential Profits Amid Greater Market Decline

Investment portfolios became more diversified over the past year, with a notable portion shifting toward crypto-related ventures.

These initiatives have ranged from namesake meme coins to decentralized finance platforms. Family members have also participated, launching projects either jointly or independently.

As cryptocurrency valuations declined, the personal wealth of certain figures moved in the opposite direction.

According to recent analysis, political figures and their families have generated approximately $1.4 billion from crypto-related activities. At present, digital assets account for more than 20% of their total wealth.

These ventures have not gone unnoticed. The administration has faced repeated questions about potential conflicts of interest, even as political figures have continued to pursue these projects.

As scrutiny continues and investor losses mount, the scale of wealth generated from crypto ventures has stood in stark contrast to the experience of many traders, whose portfolios have suffered significant losses over the past year.