EXCLUSIVE: Biden’s boss to attend Bitcoin Roundtable with Key Congressional Officials in DC

US Congressman Ro Khanna, representing California’s 17th congressional district, is set to host a Bitcoin and blockchain roundtable in Washington DC in early July, according to a private email sent by Khanna’s office, seen by Bitcoin Magazine.

Khanna’s Office described the upcoming meeting as “the most important meeting between policymakers and innovation leaders in blockchain to date.”

The panel is expected to include officials from the Biden Administration, House, and Senate, as well as American businessman Mark Cuban, according to the email. The main purpose of this meeting is to strategize how to keep “Bitcoin and the new blockchain in the United States.”

The move appears to be a response to former President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of the Bitcoin industry. Trump recently became the first President to accept Bitcoin Lightning payments for campaign contributions.

Last night, Trump promised to “end Joe Biden’s war on crypto” and ensure that the future of Bitcoin and crypto will be made in America. Earlier this week, Trump also held a round table at Mar-a-Lago with some of the nation’s biggest Bitcoin miners, and pledged to support Bitcoin mining both in Washington DC and on the world stage.

Over the past four years, the Biden Administration has taken a hostile stance toward the Bitcoin and crypto industry. Most recently, on May 31st, President Biden voted for legislation that would allow highly regulated financial institutions to hold Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also arrested the founders and CEO of the Samourai wallet, a popular Bitcoin mixing service, on charges of money laundering, in April of this year.

In May 2023, Biden compared crypto traders to “rich tax dodgers” and, in March, his administration published an economic report strongly criticizing Bitcoin and Proof of Work mining while promoting Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The Biden Administration is also proposing a 30% tax on electricity used for Bitcoin mining, arguing that it hinders the transition to a low-energy future.

This upcoming roundtable series shows a change in Washington’s approach to the crypto industry, and may reflect a warming of sentiments among democrats, given Khanna’s organization.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Biden Administration is in talks to accept crypto donations through Coinbase Commerce, following Trump who also started accepting donations through Coinbase.