Omar El Sayed - World Editor

A gathering of lawmakers, industry executives, and cryptocurrency leaders at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida has underscored the growing intersection of politics and digital assets, even as the cryptocurrency market experiences volatility. The forum, hosted by World Liberty Financial – a company led by Donald Trump Jr. And Eric Trump – took place as Bitcoin continued a downward trend, losing roughly half its value since reaching a peak in October. Simultaneously, World Liberty Financial’s own token, WLFI, saw a significant surge in value, increasing by 23% in the lead-up to the event, according to data from KuCoin.

The event brought together prominent figures from the crypto world and traditional finance, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Nasdaq President Adena Friedman, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, to discuss the “future of the financial industry, and technology.” This confluence of political influence and entrepreneurial crypto interests has drawn scrutiny, particularly given Senator Elizabeth Warren’s recent call for the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve to resist any potential bailout for cryptocurrency investors. Warren specifically warned that a bailout could benefit President Trump and his family’s cryptocurrency company, World Liberty Financial.

Bitcoin’s Decline and WLFI’s Rise

Bitcoin’s recent struggles have been a central theme in discussions surrounding the crypto market. As of February 19, 2026, Bitcoin had fallen approximately 50% from its October high, prompting concerns about market stability and potential contagion. This decline occurred alongside the Mar-a-Lago forum, creating a backdrop of uncertainty for attendees. In contrast, the WLFI token, backed by the Trump family, experienced a notable increase in trading volume, exceeding $466 million in the 24 hours prior to the event, and trading around $0.12, a surge of more than 23% according to KuCoin.

Policy Discussions and Regulatory Scrutiny

Participants at the Mar-a-Lago forum addressed a range of policy issues critical to the crypto economy, including market structure, regulation, and the oversight of stablecoins and tokenized assets. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Michael Selig engaged in discussions with New York Stock Exchange President Lynn Martin regarding the division of regulatory oversight between the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These conversations are particularly relevant as lawmakers debate a comprehensive digital asset market structure bill. Bloomberg reported that the announcement of the forum was made at the World Liberty Forum, a conference held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago.

Warren’s Warning and Potential Bailout Concerns

Senator Elizabeth Warren has publicly urged the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve to refrain from using taxpayer funds to bail out cryptocurrency billionaires and investors. As reported by CNBC, Warren’s letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Fed Chair Jerome Powell came amid Bitcoin’s continued decline. She specifically highlighted the potential for a bailout to directly enrich President Trump and his family through World Liberty Financial. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who reportedly lost $7 billion, was also in attendance at the Mar-a-Lago event, according to CNBC.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon stated he owns “very little” Bitcoin, while also supporting Treasury Secretary Bessent’s approach to the crypto market according to Yahoo Finance.

Looking Ahead

The Mar-a-Lago forum signals a continued effort to bridge the gap between the political sphere and the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape. The ongoing debate surrounding potential regulation and the possibility of financial support for struggling crypto firms will likely intensify as lawmakers continue to grapple with the complexities of digital assets. The performance of WLFI and the broader crypto market will be closely watched in the coming weeks, as will the response from regulatory bodies to Senator Warren’s concerns.

What are your thoughts on the intersection of politics and cryptocurrency? Share your comments below and let us know what you feel!

WASHINGTON — Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) plans to introduce the “Keep Jobs in California Act of 2026” on Friday, legislation aimed at preventing states from retroactively taxing individuals who have moved out of state. The bill is a direct response to a proposed wealth tax in California that is prompting some of the state’s wealthiest residents to consider leaving, and is adding another layer to the ongoing debate over how to tax the ultra-rich.

Kiley’s office stated the bill would prohibit “any state from imposing a retroactive tax on the assets of individuals who no longer reside in the state.” He argues that imposing such a tax is “fundamentally unfair,” and that California’s proposed tax is an “unprecedented attempt to chase down people who have already left.”

The proposed “2026 Billionaire Tax Act,” which may appear on the November ballot, would impose a 5% tax on the net worth of individuals with over $1 billion in assets who resided in California as of January 1, 2026. Backers of the measure, including the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, intend to use the revenue to offset cuts to federal healthcare funding for low- and middle-income residents.

Several high-profile billionaires have reportedly begun taking steps to leave California in anticipation of the tax. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel have all announced plans to relocate, according to reports. Sergey Brin has donated $20 million to a political drive to prevent the wealth tax from becoming law, according to the Fresh York Times.

Kiley, who faces a challenging re-election campaign due to California’s redrawn congressional maps, warned that the wealth tax could destabilize the state’s economy. He noted that the top 1% of earners account for 50% of California’s tax revenue, making the state’s tax structure “incredibly volatile.”

However, supporters of the tax argue it is a necessary measure to address economic uncertainty and fund vital social programs. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is scheduled to hold a rally in Los Angeles on Wednesday night in support of the wealth tax, arguing it would “provide the necessary funding to prevent more than 3 million working-class Californians from losing the healthcare they currently have.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed reservations about the wealth tax, warning that a state-by-state approach could hinder innovation and entrepreneurship. The debate over the tax is expected to continue in the coming months, with both sides preparing for a potentially costly battle on the November ballot.