Eric Trump unveiled ambitious plans to dominate Bitcoin mining through his newly formed company, positioning himself as a challenger to industry leader MicroStrategy while claiming he can produce the cryptocurrency at roughly one-third of current market prices.
What to Know:
- Trump claims his company can mine Bitcoin at $37,000-$38,000 while others are buying above $100,000
- MicroStrategy currently leads with 568,000 Bitcoin acquired over six years, including 13,390 BTC purchased this week
- American Bitcoin's parent company holds less than 11,000 Bitcoin, requiring roughly $60 billion to surpass MicroStrategy
Speaking at the Consensus 2025 conference, Trump detailed his strategy to accumulate Bitcoin through mining rather than purchasing it from exchanges, a direct contrast to the approach taken by MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor. His company, American Bitcoin, launched in March through a partnership with Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot.
"I think we're going to accumulate a tremendous amount of Bitcoin, but I also want to be the one mining it by far the cheapest," Trump said during a panel discussion at the cryptocurrency conference.
The approach centers on building mining operations that could produce Bitcoin at significantly lower costs than current market prices.
Trump's entry into the cryptocurrency sector comes amid growing institutional interest in Bitcoin, which has maintained valuations above $100,000 for much of 2025. His strategy prioritizes production efficiency over direct market purchases, claiming his operations can mine Bitcoin at $37,000 to $38,000 per coin.
The declaration positions Trump as a potential disruptor in a market increasingly dominated by corporate buyers. MicroStrategy has established itself as the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, accumulating 568,000 coins since beginning its investment strategy six years ago. The company continued its aggressive acquisition approach earlier this week, purchasing an additional 13,390 Bitcoin for $1.34 billion.
While expressing confidence in his approach, Trump acknowledged the competitive landscape developing around institutional Bitcoin ownership. "It's a race to the top right now, and there are a lot of people running fast," he said. "I promise you we are going to beat them in this marathon."
Significant Financial Hurdles Remain
American Bitcoin faces substantial challenges in achieving Trump's stated ambitions. The company has not publicly disclosed its current Bitcoin holdings, though its parent company Hut 8 possesses fewer than 11,000 Bitcoin—a fraction of MicroStrategy's substantial reserves.
Financial analysts estimate American Bitcoin would need to raise approximately $60 billion to surpass MicroStrategy's position as the largest corporate Bitcoin holder. This capital requirement presents a significant barrier to Trump's stated objectives, particularly as cryptocurrency ventures face increasing regulatory scrutiny.
The company's growth strategy coincides with broader adoption of cryptocurrency in global finance. During his presentation, Trump predicted cryptocurrencies would eventually replace traditional international payment systems like SWIFT, signaling his long-term commitment to the sector despite current challenges. American Bitcoin's development occurs against a backdrop of regulatory concerns. Trump family cryptocurrency ventures have attracted attention from House lawmakers investigating potential fraud and conflict of interest issues. These investigations could create additional obstacles for the company's expansion plans.
Industry observers note that while mining operations provide greater control over Bitcoin acquisition, they also involve substantial infrastructure investments and operational costs that may impact profitability targets. The strategy's success depends largely on maintaining the significant cost advantages Trump claims his operations can achieve.
Closing Thoughts
Eric Trump's entry into Bitcoin mining represents a bold challenge to established players in the cryptocurrency market. While his claims of producing Bitcoin at substantially lower costs could disrupt current market dynamics, American Bitcoin faces significant financial and regulatory hurdles in its quest to overtake industry leader MicroStrategy.