US Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Holds Bitcoin (BTC)

Robert F. Kennedy – a US presidential candidate from the Democratic party and an outspoken advocate of the cryptocurrency industry – revealed owning between $100,001 and $250,000 worth of bitcoin. 

The disclosure comes approximately two months after the Miami BTC conference, where he said he is not a crypto investor.

Kennedy Owns Over 3 BTC

According to a financial disclosure report seen by CNBC, the Kennedy family held up to $250K in bitcoin as of June 30. While this could be another example outlining the American’s pro-crypto stance, some might argue that the situation could cause a conflict of interest. 

Kennedy attended the Miami Bitcoin conference in May this year and told the crowd that he had not invested in the primary digital asset. On the other hand, he assured that he would accept BTC donations for his political campaign.

“I am not an investor, and I am not here to give investment advice,” he said at the time.

Former Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich – who serves as Kennedy’s campaign manager – claimed that the BTC purchase occurred after the speech and prior to the June 30 filing deadline.

The list of American politicians holding the leading digital asset does not end with John F. Kennedy’s nephew. US Senator Cynthia Lummis bought between $50,001 to $100,000 worth of bitcoin in the summer of 2021. It is worth mentioning that she jumped on the bandwagon in 2013 when BTC was worth a mere $300 apiece. Senators Pat Toomey and Ted Cruz have also joined the ecosystem.

Presidential candidate and current mayor of Miami – Francis Suarez – has gone even further, receiving his salary in bitcoin instead of fiat currency. 

Kennedy’s Crypto Vision

The 69-year-old environmental lawyer has expressed some controversial views over the years. For one, he is an opponent of conventional nuclear power and promoted multiple conspiracy theories regarding COVID-19 and the vaccination program.

Kennedy is also in favor of the cryptocurrency sector and against the US Federal Reserve’s actions. He vowed to impose BTC-friendly laws should he become President:

“I will make sure that we have policies that support Bitcoin and the freedom to transact and that allow individuals to manage their own Bitcoin wallets, nodes, and passwords.”

In addition, he assured that his cabinet will implement only necessary control to the industry (to prevent money laundering) and not hamper its development. 

Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) will most likely not receive much support should Kennedy win the elections since he described them as financial tools used for “oppression.”

Subsequently, he criticized the US Fed, suggesting it had collaborated with some banks to print a considerable amount of money between 2008-2022. According to him, this has negatively impacted the American economy, while BTC could serve as an “escape route from the splatter zone.”