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Trump's Crypto Guide: A Serious, Unserious, and Confusing Digital Currency Primer
By Jordan Pearson | March 2025
Former President Donald Trump's latest venture into the world of cryptocurrency has left many in the industry scratching their heads. On Tuesday, Trump's company, Trump Organization, released a comprehensive guide to digital currencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others. The 12-page booklet, titled "The Trump Guide to Crypto," promises to "decode the world of cryptocurrency" and provide readers with a "clear and concise" introduction to the subject.
However, critics have quickly pointed out that the guide is riddled with errors, inaccuracies, and a general lack of understanding about the basics of cryptocurrency. The booklet's opening sentence, for example, defines Bitcoin as "a digital currency that allows you to buy things online." This is not entirely accurate, as Bitcoin is a decentralized, peer-to-peer electronic cash system that allows users to send and receive value without the need for intermediaries.
The guide also contains a number of confusing and contradictory statements. At one point, Trump writes that "Ethereum is the same as Bitcoin," which is not true. Ethereum is a separate blockchain platform that allows for the creation of smart contracts and decentralized applications, in addition to serving as a digital currency.
Other criticisms of the guide include its failure to mention the role of mining in the creation and validation of cryptocurrency transactions, as well as its lack of discussion about the importance of decentralized governance and community involvement in the development of blockchain technology.
Despite its numerous errors and inaccuracies, the Trump Guide to Crypto has been met with a mix of amusement and annoyance by the cryptocurrency community. Some have poked fun at Trump's lack of understanding, while others have expressed concern about the potential negative impact that the guide may have on the public's perception of cryptocurrency.
In a statement, Trump's company defended the guide, saying that it was intended to be a "fun and accessible" introduction to the world of cryptocurrency. However, many in the industry have taken Trump's guide as a serious attempt to educate the public about digital currencies, and have responded with a mix of frustration and disappointment.
In the end, the Trump Guide to Crypto is a confusing and confusingly titled primer that is unlikely to provide readers with a clear and concise introduction to the world of cryptocurrency. But hey, at least it's not boring.