Trump Praises Israeli Strikes as Bitcoin’s Peaceful Roots Fade
Former President Donald Trump called Israel’s missile strikes on Iran “excellent” last Friday, a move that reportedly killed at least 78 people—many of them civilians. The irony here is hard to ignore. Bitcoin, once hailed as a tool to undercut war-funded banking systems, is now largely held by the same politicians and corporations that profit from conflict.
Trump, who has recently positioned himself as “pro-bitcoin,” had just hours earlier posted on Truth Social about seeking a “diplomatic resolution” with Iran. But according to unnamed Israeli officials, that may have been a deliberate misdirection. One source told Axios there was a “clear U.S. green light” for the attack.
From Peace to Profits
Bitcoin’s genesis block famously referenced a bank bailout, embedding a critique of financial systems that fuel endless war. Early adopters like Roger Ver argued crypto could “undermine every government’s ability to wage war.” Yet today, the biggest BTC holders include BlackRock (with over half a million coins), the U.S. government, and pro-state figures like Michael Saylor—who openly supports Trump’s “pro-crypto” stance while dismissing privacy advocates.
Worse, Bitcoin is now directly funding war. In Ukraine, crypto has been used to buy weapons. Major exchanges operate under government oversight. If the U.S. keeps backing Israel’s campaigns—or funding groups like Hamas—Bitcoin will be part of that machinery.
Can Crypto Still Disrupt the System?
It’s a grim picture, but not hopeless. The tech itself still works. What’s missing is the original ethos: self-ownership, decentralization, and refusing to finance violence. Networks like Bitcoin Cash offer fast, cheap transactions outside state control. Privacy tools make it easier to opt out.
The real shift has to be cultural. Governments—whether Israeli, Iranian, or American—don’t care about civilians caught in crossfire. They’re run by individuals, no more legitimate than anyone else. The key is recognizing that no one has the right to force you to fund wars or die in them.
Maybe Bitcoin’s early ideals weren’t a scam—just co-opted. But the choice remains: keep feeding the machine or build alternatives, one refusal at a time.
